In preparation for the pending retirement of CEO Scott Black, and the appointment of his replacement, SHARE has strengthened its management team and added additional resource in key areas.

We weren’t sure it was going to happen this side of the new year but this week the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill had its first reading in Parliament.

A new dealer group has been set up, predominantly for risk advisers, which is based on a co-operative model.

The fact that times change should "give hope to the poor and pause to the rich", according to one old saying.

AMP Capital has launched three new passively-managed index fund options for New Zealand retail investors.

Newpark founder and general manager Darren Gannon has stepped down from this leadership role and handed it to new recruit Dean McDougall.

Christmas came early this year with the Reserve Bank, surprisingly, make some small changes to its LVR lending restrictions. They are only small, and more like tweaks than substantial changes, but they are welcome.

New rules for financial advisers are likely to be delayed until the end of next year.

The Reserve Bank says it will make some slight easing of the LVR restrictions from January 1.