Key defends first home buyer plans

Opposition parties are unimpressed with the Government's latest moves to help first home buyers but Prime Minister John Key says they will work.

• RBNZ backs off low equity restrictions

  The Reserve Bank has backed off on restricting banks lending on low equity mortgages and instead gone for a "speed limit" approach.

• More houses the answer - expert

  A property expert says the only thing that will bring down New Zealand's house prices will be to build a lot more houses.

• Companies join forces on cyber security

  Cyber security is becoming a hot issue following a string of high-profile breaches and warnings about the need for vigilance.

• Novotel set to re-open

  Visitors to Christchurch will soon be able to get a full view of Cathedral Square as the Novotel Hotel opens its doors.

• Chinese culture demands apology, says Key

  John Key says he'll personally apologise to the Chinese to heal wounds brand New Zealand may have suffered.

• Property prices fall - even in Auckland

  The latest Real Estate Institute figures show house prices fell last month, even in Auckland.

• Power prices aren't too high - Key

  Prime Minister John Key says a quadrupling in profit for Meridian Energy isn't evidence that power prices are too high.

• 'Broccoli Lady' honoured for kumara work

  A Kiwi woman's just been named Australasia's marketer of the year for her work to promote the humble kumara.

• Opinion: Fonterra's 'honesty' impresses China

  In a country where pollution is inexorable and food contamination can mean death, Fonterra's admission was seen as honest.

• Can you really buy or sell a house in 48 hours?

  For most Kiwis buying a house is the biggest investment they'll ever make.

• PM plans to fast-track Fonterra inquiry

  The Prime Minister is planning to fast-track a new law to give the Government greater powers of inquiry.

• Fonterra names whey inquiry committee

  Fonterra has announced who will conduct its independent inquiry into the contaminated whey protein scare.

• Key defends first home buyer plans

  Opposition parties are unimpressed with the Government's latest moves to help first home buyers but Prime Minister John Key says they will work.

• Meridian posts $163M profit

  Meridian Energy has posted a 53 percent increase in underlying net profit after tax of $162.7 million.

• Apple rumours focus on Sep 10

  Apple fans get your calendars out a September 10 could be the big day, according to the latest rumours.

• Sri Lanka DCD results 'highly unlikely' to be correct

  Agribusiness professor Jacqueline Rowarth says Anchor DCD results in Sri Lanka are so high, they can't be correct.

• Fonterra ramps up damage control in China

  The recent Fonterra contamination scare has raised questions about New Zealand's reputation as clean and "pure".

• Wall Street flat despite positive data

  The latest batch of economic data from China looks encouraging, although not enough to give Wall Street a boost.

• Housing policy won't halt bubble - experts

  Policies aimed at helping Kiwis buy their first home won't do anything to solve the affordability crisis, say experts.

• Are debt collectors going too far?

  Matthew Nutter from Kiwi Debt says lenders are going too far when trying to collect debts.