Non-bank lender Prospa has been added as an approved lender to the Government's Business Finance Guarantee scheme, as ministers open up the initiative to alternative lenders for the first time.

Non-bank lender Bluestone has hired two new business development managers for Auckland as it grows its presence in New Zealand.

Advisers say their clients are experiencing severe delays with turnaround times for registered valuations, putting first home buyers in a race against time on auctions.

A Tauranga landlord has been taken to court for breaching a restraining order in relation to repeatedly failing to lodge bonds in the first case of its type in New Zealand.

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has launched an initiative aimed at showcasing the success of insurance professionals.

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.