New Zealand building consents for residential housing rose 7.6% in December, taking the annual level of new permits to a six-year high.

The OCR has been left unchanged this morning, making a March hike now 'a near certainty' according to one economist.

The dollar fell against the greenback amid speculation the Federal Reserve will further trim its bond buying programme next week.

The economic recovery will stall if banks have their way and interest rates are lifted in January, the EMA says.

Accelerating inflation isn't expected to sway the Reserve Bank from a March rate hike, as rising consumer prices firm up the outlook of a strengthening economy.

The NZ dollar was little changed ahead of local inflation data which is expected to inform the Reserve Bank's decision when it reviews monetary policy next week.

The New Zealand dollar touched an eight-year against its trans-Tasman counterpart ahead of Australia employment figures.

NZ business confidence has soared to a 20-year high, lifting hopes for profits, hiring and new investment.

The NZ dollar gained after weaker than expected US employment figures on Friday sapped optimism over the pace of the Fed's plans to scale back its asset purchase programme.

A boost in new apartment consents led to an 11 per cent rise in the number of new dwellings consented in November 2013, according to Statistics NZ.

Auckland's average house price rose to a record in December as property values benefited from a lack of supply heading into summer.