In 2001, Consumers Institute head David Russell warned food prices were likely to rise once the supermarket industry shrank from three big players to two.

The cost of travel basics like accommodation and flights may have gone up a bit over the past few months as the global economy stabilises, but they're still incredibly good value, writes Jim Eagles.

A cut-price supermarket chain in Australia is offering a $108,000 starting salary to university graduates, prompting further concern over the increasing wage gap between New Zealand and Australia.

The seasonally adjusted volume of residential building activity rose 7.4 per cent in the December quarter, while non-residential volume fell 6.1 per cent.

There's been a suprise trade surplus of $269 million in January- the biggest for the month since 1989.

Builders will put up 18,000 to 20,000 new houses this year, according to a forecast.