Personal Finance

The bank this morning cut its two year rate by 10 basis points to 5.45%. It also held its 18-month rate at a competitive 5.29%.

Major bank lowers one fixed mortgage rate, lifts most others

All major banks lifted floating rates in the wake of the Reserve Bank lifting the official cash rate at the start of the month.

Tue, Sep 22

Motorists are cutting back and looking for alternatives as soaring fuel costs hit household budgets and put pressure on businesses.

Pain at the pump as petrol, diesel jump 30c a litre in three weeks

The national average for 91 and diesel have jumped to $3.30 and $3.04 respectively in the past 28 days.

Tue, Sep 22

Bank refunds $1.73m after wrongly charging thousands of customers

More than 7300 TSB business customers were charged a fee they should never have paid for six years.

Mon, Sep 21

Properties have been withdrawn from sale and then listed for rent within three months at a rate of about 3000 a year in recent months.

The rise of 'accidental landlords'

People hoping to sell who can't get a decent price or any deal at all are holding on to properties as a rental instead.

Mon, Sep 21

'You need a 20% deposit' – and other mortgage myths that might be holding you back

Frances Cook highlights some false beliefs around mortgages that could keep you renting for longer.

Sun, Sep 20

Major bank lowers one fixed mortgage rate, lifts most others

All major banks lifted floating rates in the wake of the Reserve Bank lifting the official cash rate at the start of the month.

Tue, Sep 22

Pain at the pump as petrol, diesel jump 30c a litre in three weeks

The national average for 91 and diesel have jumped to $3.30 and $3.04 respectively in the past 28 days.

Tue, Sep 22

Bank refunds $1.73m after wrongly charging thousands of customers

More than 7300 TSB business customers were charged a fee they should never have paid for six years.

Mon, Sep 21

The rise of 'accidental landlords'

People hoping to sell who can't get a decent price or any deal at all are holding on to properties as a rental instead.

Mon, Sep 21

'You need a 20% deposit' – and other mortgage myths that might be holding you back

Frances Cook highlights some false beliefs around mortgages that could keep you renting for longer.

Sun, Sep 20

Why 'in-between generation' may miss out on KiwiSaver bonuses

Political parties, including National and NZ First, are promising to introduce payments for babies signing up to the scheme in the future.

Fri, Sep 18

Westpac says rising wholesale funding costs have prompted increases to most fixed mortgage and term deposit rates, despite a cut to its two-year home loan rate.

Major bank cuts two-year mortgage rate – raises others

Bank says rising geopolitical tensions have pushed up wholesale funding costs, prompting increases to most fixed home loan and term deposit rates.

Fri, Sep 18

Online travel scams are becoming harder to spot.

Travel scams are getting harder to spot. Here's how to stay safe

Pickpockets were once the biggest worry for travellers heading to new destinations on vacation. But travel scams have become more sophisticated.

Fri, Sep 18

Splitting up Foodstuffs: Would it actually drive down grocery prices?

A Commerce Commission review is required to determine whether it would leave shoppers better off but what do experts think?

Thu, Sep 17

Popular buy now, pay later apps that advertise paying for purchases over time.

‘Buy now, pay later’ may not feel like debt - but it is, and it comes with risks

Analysis: Marketed as a convenient way to pay for purchases over time, the schemes are fundamentally still a form of debt.

Thu, Sep 17

'What the heck': Two families shriek, lose sleep after $5m Powerball wins

Two families from Wellington and Richmond say their respective $5 million Lotto wins sparked disbelief, shrieking and a sleepless night.

Wed, Sep 16

From tonight, the number of Powerballs increases from 10 to 14, both the minimum and maximum jackpots are rising, and a new prize division is being introduced.

Why tonight's Lotto jackpot will be harder to win

Powerball's biggest shake-up in nearly two decades kicks off tonight.

Wed, Sep 16

National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis.

Willis hints National to campaign on income tax bracket changes

Changes to the research and development tax credit could also be campaigned on after businesses hailed its success, Nicola Willis said.

Tue, Sep 15

$500 compensation for man who may lose house after giving up job over vaccine rules

A man who left his job because of Covid-19 vaccine requirements, and later fell into significant arrears on his home loan, has been awarded $500 in compensation from the bank.

Tue, Sep 15

The average price of 91 has already jumped 15 cents a litre over the past 28 days to $3.11, while diesel is up more than 14 cents to $2.79.

Fuel prices tipped to keep rising as conflicts squeeze global supply

Attacks on Saudi and Russian oil infrastructure, plus a shuttered Strait of Hormuz, are driving fuel prices higher.

Mon, Sep 14

Trump urges Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian diesel supply

The US President blamed the strikes for a global diesel shortage as prices in the US hit a record high.

Mon, Sep 14

Labour have released a policy which promises to increase KiwiSaver earnings for employees by introducing stricter regulations for employers.

Labour unveils KiwiSaver overhaul with mandatory employer contributions

The party's plan would lift minimum employer contributions to 6% by 2032 and ban total remuneration contracts.

Sun, Sep 13

Two winners split $10 million must-be-won Lotto prize

Two Powerball players have each won more than $5 million in the final draw of the current format.

Sun, Sep 13

One or more lucky Lotto players will be waking up richer after the numbers were drawn for tonight's $10 million must-be-won draw.

Numbers drawn in must-win $10m Lotto draw ahead of major shake-up

Saturday's must-win draw is the last to be played under the current 10-ball format before major changes take effect.

Sat, Sep 12

Powerball will change to a 14-ball game following Saturday's must win draw.

Lotto warns of queues, website delays for $10m must-be-won draw

With the current Powerball format's final draw tonight, players are being told to buy early and screenshot their tickets before systems shut down for an overnight upgrade.

Sat, Sep 12