A perfect storm of interest rate hikes, lending restrictions and inclement weather is being blamed for a slump in house sales.

Auckland house sales data for June is out, showing a slight decline in sales volumes but average sale prices up $11,088 - that's a daily price rise of $369.60.

The Kiwi dollar touched a two-month high overnight, approaching 87.50 US cents, after a measure of Chinese manufacturing was stronger than expected

The chairwoman of the US Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, said the New Zealand economy seemed to doing extremely well.