The December issue of ASSET magazine is packed with in-depth coverage of all the big financial planning issues.

The lastest Household Savings numbers show the average New Zealand household got richer last year, but there are some warnings.

Strategic Finance has received a further B1 credit rating by international corporate ratings agency Rapid Ratings.

Auckland

As the year draws to a close it is time to reflect on the performance of the various markets through 2004 and to preview next year. Tyndall Investment Management New Zealand Ltd managing director Anthony Quirk comments on the state of the markets.

Two of the biggest fund managers in the country have lost key people this week.

The Bank of New Zealand has narrowly escaped censure over its “we’ve cut out brokers” advertising campaign.

On Monday Don Brash addressed a meeting of the North Shore Rotary Clubs outlining National's policy on the New Zealand Superannuation Fund ("The Cullen Fund"). The full text of this address follows.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen announces an increase to the Super Fund’s operational budget

Wellington

Parliament had it all on super yesterday: Smoke and mirrors, flip-flops, Tottenham Hotspurs and Michael Cullen and Don Brash walking off into the sunset hand in hand. The real news was that the NZ Super Fund got an extra $1 million in funding.

Wellington