Inside Today's Independent Financial Review

Inside Today's Independent Financial Review

Banks accelerate mortgage lending
New Zealand's banks lent homeowners a record $4.6 billion extra in the fourth quarter of last year, adding more fuel to the housing market and frustrating the Reserve Bank's efforts to cool the economy. Bernard Hickey reports that Westpac has been the most aggressive lender in the fourth quarter, which has overshadowed the BNZ's "Unbeatable" mortgage boom of late 2004.

Grey Power unearths energy flaw
Grey Power says it has discovered a serious error in the government's energy strategy because it has miscalculated energy emissions from the residential sector. Grey Power is calling for measures to insulate homes and the claims from the elderly rights group increases the pressure on the government to subsidise such measures. Jenni McManus reports.

Goulter waits in the wings for Vector chairman job
John Goulter, one of the directors of Vector who quit last year, is prepared to return as chairman if the incumbent Michael Stiassny steps down, reports Jenni McManus.

Harvard fund reaps forestry gains, Maori groups lose out
The government's greenhouse policy is likely to benefit the wealthy foreign owners of many of New Zealand's forests, reports Jenny Ruth. Meanwhile, Maori groups hoping to receive forestry lands are expected to be losers as deforestation charges will lower land prices.

Elsewhere, Denise McNabb profiles serial entrepreneur and former bankrupt Paul Webb and Nick Stride explains how the funds management sector is set for a boom.

ENDS

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