The number of people out of work has edged down to bring the rate of unemployment to its lowest level in more than eight years.

First home buyers should be exempt from needing a 20 percent deposit to buy property for less than $600,000, Auckland’s biggest real estate firm says.

Property values in Auckland have increased at their slowest rate in five years, latest QV data shows, while growth has shifted to smaller centres.

Prices have fallen in the global dairy auction overnight, but the whole-milk powder price lifted by 1.3 percent.

Business confidence has edged lower, but the winter chills are likely to be short-lived, according to ANZ’s latest business outlook survey.

The relative strength of the economy is expected to be reflected in the second quarter labour market report, due out on Wednesday.

Investor confidence has edged lower in the past few months, with the looming election and high priced assets seen making people a shade more cautious.

Digital technology and social media – Facebook in particular – is playing a greater role than ever in the practise of the political dark arts, writes Adam Bennett.

A legal challenge to the Commerce Commission’s decision stymieing a proposed merger between Fairfax Media and NZME is likely to be heard in October if all preliminary matters can be sorted out before then.

If you don’t think twice about logging onto Facebook using your local Starbucks’ wi-fi, you’re not alone.