Residential building consents dropped a whopping 18% last month, the first decline in six months after rapid gains.

A "very strong" balance sheet and "stable outlook" has seen AM Best reaffirm its Financial Strength Rating for Cigna New Zealand.

BNZ has maintained tight lending criteria on new-to-bank deals as it struggles with turnaround times and the volume of loan applications.

Cigna New Zealand has announced that A.M. Best has reaffirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A (excellent) and Long-Term Issuer credit rating of "a" - "with stable outlooks".

The Government is staking its political credibility on its war against soaring house prices, says BNZ chief economist Stephen Toplis.

With infrastructure updates on the way and recent “sky-rocketing prices” Lower Hutt looks great for investors, writes Joanna Mathers.

The Government's radical housing market reforms could mean lower interest rates for longer, according to Westpac economists.

Wealthpoint has set up an arrangement with Steadfast business insurance brokers in an effort to expand its general insurance business and offer more products to its advisers and clients.

ANZ has confirmed it will review its affordability criteria for investor loans in the wake of the Government's housing reforms. TMM Online asked the rest of NZ's major lenders if they plan to follow suit.

Political pressure on the Government to “do something” about the housing market means 2021 will be remembered as the “year of property politics”, says CoreLogic senior economist Kelvin Davidson.

ANZ is the first big four lender to confirm that it will review investor lending assessments following the Government's housing reforms.