LJ Hooker believes people wanting to make quick buck entering real estate industry; attrition rate of good staff also a problem

It was an amazing week for the NZX. Vector listed on Monday at a big premium to its $2.38 issue price and then, on Wednesday, came a huge surprise: a small company called Rank Group made a $3.27 billion bid for Carter Holt Harvey after agreeing to buy International Paper's 50.5 per cent stake at $2.50 a share.

Losses on asset sales and lower interest income have resulted in a drop in Trans Tasman Properties' profits.

Midwinter chills seem to have hit the housing market, but that could mean a glimmer of hope for desperate buyers, with half of New Zealand experiencing a drop in house prices last month.

The number of farm sales in the Manawatu-Wanganui region rose by 13 percent to top the country in the June quarter.

Three-quarters of the Canterbury coastline is retreating due to erosion, threatening homes and roads and prompting rules banning coastal development.

The Christchurch City Council will consider a call by Estuary area residents to buy the controversial Ferrymead Tavern site for which a multi-storey building was proposed.

Mall giant Westfield New Zealand is opposing a North Shore City Council plan which will enable retail and mixed use development to the north of its proposed mega mall in Albany.

Plans for one of the biggest subdivisions in the Nelson region have been released, with the developers wanting 900 sections west of Richmond.

Furious Springlands residents are hitting out at plans to build a bar in their suburban street.

Property owners, whose communities elect to establish sewerage reticulation schemes to treat and dispose of their households' wastewater, will be able to apply for government subsidies to offset the costs of connecting to these schemes.

Manukau City Council is to look at buying or leasing the land around Botany's historic Hawthorn Dene Farmhouse to save it from development.

A Central Hawke's Bay farming family have sold their sheep and cattle farm for more than $20 million.

Building costs in Marlborough are skyrocketing, with an average three bedroom house costing as much as $30,000 more now than two years ago.

New Zealand Finance says changes to home loan commission structures by banks will create opportunity and this will only help develop the non-bank housing market in New Zealand.

Three suburban New Plymouth shopping areas are getting a revamp.