Record high interest bills are hitting mortgage borrowers as rising and high interest rates bite.

The Commerce Commission has been urged to come up with an agreed model for how the New Zealand banking sector operates for its banking competition study.

Although a Christchurch landlord did not do a pre-tenancy methamphetamine test, he was still able to evict the tenant because a circular saw was used to cut through the front door which he had to replace with a brand-new door that subsequently tested positive for the drug.

The country’s banks are expecting a significant recovery in demand for mortgages over the next six months if interest deductibility is restored for investors buying rental properties.

National’s plans for unlocking the build-to-rent sector as an asset class can’t come soon enough for New Ground Capital, a pioneer of the new style of rental housing.

Household net worth fell by $33.5 billion in the June quarter, with more than half put down to declining property values, Stats NZ data show.

Regardless of politics, the property market’s recovery is still subdued.

As higher interest rates bite, 37% of mortgage advisers say they are getting more inquiries about refinancing.

Over the past two years there has been little bank mortgage lending to investors. However, in the latest Tony Alexander mortgage advisers survey shows investor inquiries are at their highest levels since late 2020.

Mortgage advisers are keen to see if the incoming government will scrap or make changes to the CCCFA within its first 100 days.

The Reserve Bank may not need to raise the OCR after better than expected inflation figures.

Financial market volatility may be slightly elevated as coalition negotiations evolve, says one of the major banks. However, Westpac says, the centre-right’s strong performance during Saturday's general election will assuage some uncertainty.

Despite high interest rates, more than 43% of home loan borrowers are ahead on their loan repayments, compared to 1.4% who are behind and more than 11,000 loans switching to interest only.

A Responsible Debt Collection Code has been launched by the Financial Services Federation (FSF).

New Zealanders who work with a financial planning professional are better off, a new study shows.

Mortgage adviser Deepesh Chaudhary has turned his hand to helping small businesses.