The latest on Home Equity Release schemes, A plug for global healthcare, MFS Pacific dual currency offer, Salvus reveals its big holdings, Kingfish performance. Blog - Task Force delay not necessarily a bad thing

Sovereign, like other lenders, has reviewed its home loan business and is making a number of changes, including a reduction in its commission levels.

The fall-off in residential building is continuing, building consent figures released by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) show.

The fall-off in residential building is continuing, building consent figures released by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) show.

Public Trust has made an interesting move, chopping its floating home loan rate, despite the Reserve Bank leaving the official cash rate unchanged yesterday.

Queensland

The latest Managed Funds Industry Trends report from FundSource shows that retail funds under management have reached $20 billion, despite heavy outflows of funds.

The Reserve Bank has left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 6.75%.

Christchurch

Investor confidence in residential property is still the highest compared to other forms of investment, a survey shows.

The Maori Party suggested at a recent conference that NZ Superannuation should be paid to Maori from age 60 because they have a shorter life expectency than many other New Zealanders. Finance Minister Michael Cullen was asked about this in Parliament and this is his reply.

Sydney

Finance minister Michael Cullen has reaffirmed that the government has no plans to introduce a new form of property tax.

Finance minister Michael Cullen has reaffirmed that the government has no plans to introduce a new form of property tax.