The number of New Zealanders covered by health insurance rose by 1.4%, or 18,800, to a record 1.388 million in the year ending in March, according to statistics released by the Health Funds Association (HFANZ).

Auckland

Funds flow into managed funds improved in the March quarter, bolstered by KiwiSaver, however the overall picture isn't particularly flash.

The Securities Commission says that investigations into collapsed finance companies are progressing well and it is likely that proceedings will be laid against some companies.

Tyndall Investment Management have taken out the top award as the Morningstar Fund Manager of the Year 2007.

Submissions close on May 16 for the government's new plan to overhaul the financial Advisers Bill - throwing out co-regulation and narrowing its target. David Chaplin reports on why political expediency has won out.

Tyndall's head of strategy, Peter Lynn, comments on the markets and on Investment Performance Surveys, concluding that they are nearing the end of their useful lives. Food for thought.

With financial markets easing, this month Andrew Hunt comments on whether the credit crunch is over, and questions whether inflation is now the worry? The global economy delivers our Central Banks a complex state of affairs.

March is normally a bumper month for lending, but that hasn't been the case this year with a slowing housing market.

Morningstar has released further reviews of the New Zealand share strategies used by locally based fund managers.

• Enhance and implement innovative strategies
• Grow the business in a competitive environment
• Sector knowledge an advantage but not essential

Brook goes direct with Rabo, Liontamer offers two new funds, nabInvest takes stake in Pengana Capital, GPG wants more of Tower.

This past week has been a big one for the finance company sector - yet again - with a mix of good and not so good news.

Bluestone may have missed out on getting control of Geneva Finance, but it hasn't stopped looking for finance company acquisitions in New Zealand.