Property investor and developer Precinct Properties is to raise $250 million to buy two major Wellington properties – including Bowen House – and reduce debt.

In an update to the market, the national carrier says it hasn’t drawn down any further on its loan from the government.

Mainfreight managing director Don Braid hopes staff will see the trial as an opportunity to help the Ministry of Health with the vaccine rollout.

Rural regions are leading the way in economic growth but New Zealand’s urban areas are expected to catch up in the second half of the year.

Online services are being restored after a widespread outage that affected major banks, Virgin Australia and Australia Post.

Economists are warning the tide is turning on rock bottom interest rates, bringing with it the prospect of higher debt costs for households and businesses.

Out of pocket Auckland businesses trading alongside a giant City Rail Link trench say they may fold before the project is complete.

The economy has rebounded more strongly than expected as strong domestic spending and building offset the loss of international tourism.

Property investors say a debt-to-income ratio tool will limit the number of rental properties available.

KiwiSaver fund managers are being urged to do more to prevent investors from panic-switching between funds and potentially locking in losses.