The past decade has seen a massive surge of interest in trusts, but that boom is now giving rise to major management issues. The growth in trust numbers has been driven by several factors including the former National government's decision in the 1990s to means test superannuation to charge students higher tertiary education fees. Trusts were also being used by the self-employed to protect their assets, and parents were using them to help further their children's education.

One of the great urban myths in New Zealand is that residential property is the best returning investment possible. It's no wonder then that more than 60% of New Zealand's household assets are in residential property. However, new research from WestpacTrust shows that property isn't as flash as people think. In fact, you're better off owning a diversified portfolio of shares than residential property.

Last week, the Hawaiian Castle Group wrote to about 250 investors to say the hotel ( the North Shore's tallest new tower, the 23-level

It's getting so common that even Queenstown real estate agents were getting sick of saying it yesterday – but the resort's winter workforce is paying higher rental prices this year than ever before.

Neither the traditional winter slowdown nor the impact of rising interest rates is particularly evident in the housing market, the latest Real Estate Institute figures suggest.

Median house prices fell by $1000 in May from April levels to $188,000, according to the New Zealand Real Estate Institute's latest survey published today.

So many people invest, yet so few understand how investing really works. Let's uncover the secret.

We look at the different risks involved in investing and how you can learn to manage these risks: Tax risk, Expense risk, Event risk, Liquidity risk, Fraud risk, Emotional risk

Are you making any of the 7 most common mistakes property investors make with their mortgages?

The big banks predict median house prices will rise by as much as 10% this year, despite falling farm incomes and the prospect of higher interest rates.

Two mortgage broking firms have got together under the Mortgage Alliance banner to create a firm with more than 120 brokers.

Investors in Takapuna's Spencer on Byron hotel/apartment tower will have their guaranteed annual returns halved because of dismal returns.

The good times for property are leading many to consider the attraction of buying an apartment, flat, unit or house to rent out. Auckland chartered accountant Nigel Smith, of taxation specialists NSA, says the numbers have to stack up. Each person, family trust, company or couple's circumstances are different, but he still has some advice for those considering taking the leap. "At the moment, it is...

Contributory mortgages are not necessarily the most risky investment available in New Zealand. It just seems that way because of poor quality ones making the news.

The Reserve Bank has steeply raised its outlook for interest rates over the next two years, projecting rates a full percentage point higher than it thought would be necessary two months ago.

Home loans are on shifting ground and homeowners face a confusing choice with Kiwibank appearing to up the ante by dropping fixed interest rates.