Latest News
All the latest NZ & Australian financial news
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUOra Banda Mining delivers extraordinary 915.4% investor return over three years
ASX-listed gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd has recorded a remarkable 915.4% return for investors over the past three years. The surge is backed by record half-year revenues of $336.3 million and a strong global gold price environment.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUThe A2 Milk Company and Wesfarmers Placed on ASX Investor Watchlists
An investment analysis places both The A2 Milk Company and Wesfarmers on investor watchlists. While A2 Milk navigates temporary supply chain headwinds, Wesfarmers exhibits strong recovery potential backed by robust earnings.
Government & Policy
NZNZ Budget 2026 includes $70.7 million to strengthen domestic border security
New Zealand's Budget 2026 will allocate $70.7 million over four years to the New Zealand Customs Service to boost domestic border security. This funding forms part of a larger $81.5 million package aimed at combatting organised crime and international drug smuggling.
Housing & Property
AUAustralian Auction Clearance Rates Hit Lowest Since COVID-19 Pandemic, Signaling Housing Correction
Australia's capital city auction clearance rate has plunged to 50.4%, the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Led by steep declines in Sydney and Melbourne, the housing market has shifted into a correction phase amid rising interest rates and tax changes.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUJames Hardie Industries Misses FY26 EPS Forecasts as Analysts Revise Downwards
James Hardie Industries plc has missed analyst statutory EPS expectations by 60% for FY26, reporting US$0.19 per share. Despite revenues meeting forecasts at US$4.8 billion, analysts have revised their FY27 projections downwards.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUGuzman y Gomez Upgrades Australian Earnings Guidance After Immediate United States Exit
Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG) is exiting the US market immediately, closing all Chicago restaurants after a six-year expansion attempt. The company has simultaneously upgraded its FY26 Australian underlying EBITDA guidance to A$85 million, triggering a major surge in its share price.
Housing & Property
NZChristchurch Property Market Defies National Slump with Strong Price Recovery
While Auckland and Wellington struggle with house prices significantly below their historical peaks, Christchurch is showing remarkable resilience. Strong internal migration and solid first-home buyer demand continue to support the local Canterbury market.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUAustralian Mining Giants Demonstrate Strength Amid Commodity Rally
Australian mining leaders Mineral Resources Ltd and BHP Group Ltd are showing strong share market performance, supported by resilient commodity prices and strategic diversification. While Mineral Resources has posted significant gains since early 2025, BHP is trading near its all-time high amid robust copper and iron ore markets.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZNZX50 Rises as Oceania Healthcare Surges and Fletcher Building Confirms Unconditional Construction Divestment
The NZX50 index closed up 0.3% on Friday, May 22, 2026, driven by a 9% surge in Oceania Healthcare shares. Concurrently, Fletcher Building announced its Construction Division sale to VINCI Construction is unconditional at an increased value of approximately $334 million.
RBNZ & Rates
NZRBNZ Faces Intense Policy Debate Ahead of May Cash Rate Decision
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to hold the Official Cash Rate at 2.25% on May 27, 2026. However, rising inflation expectations and a 3.1% annual CPI are driving intense debate within the Monetary Policy Committee over future rate hikes.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZTower Limited profit halves to $22.9m as severe weather claims escalate
Tower Limited has reported a significant drop in its half-year profit to $22.9 million, down from $49.7 million a year earlier. The decline was driven by a sharp rise in weather-related claims costing $18.5 million, leading to a slide in the insurer's share price.
Business & Markets (NZX)
bothOceania Healthcare Delivers Record Full Year 2026 Results, Reduces Net Debt
Oceania Healthcare has announced its audited full-year results for the period ending March 31, 2026, delivering a record 20% growth in Proforma Underlying EBITDA and a significant reduction in net debt. Despite operational gains, the board has suspended dividends as it targets positive free cash flow.
Government & Policy
NZNew Zealand Government Announces $35 Million Funding Boost for Road Ambulance Services in Budget 2026
The New Zealand Government has unveiled a $35 million funding injection over four years for road ambulance services as part of Budget 2026, targeting infrastructure, technology, and frontline support.
Government & Policy
AUAustralian Federal Budget 2026-27 Delivers Multi-Stage Tax Relief and Deductions for Workers
The Australian Federal Budget 2026-27 introduces a significant package of tax relief measures, including phased income tax rate reductions and a new $1,000 instant tax deduction. Starting July 1, 2026, these measures aim to provide substantial cost-of-living relief and simplify tax compliance.
Scams & Fraud
NZAuckland Painting Scam Leads to Arrest of UK National and Active Manhunt
A UK national has pleaded guilty to fraud and shoplifting charges in Auckland after a local couple was scammed out of $27,000 for uncompleted house painting. Police have issued an arrest warrant for his associate who fled the country.
Scams & Fraud
AUCommBank issues urgent alert as sophisticated 'pump and dump' scams target Australian investors
Commonwealth Bank has issued a critical alert warning investors of sophisticated 'pump and dump' schemes using AI deepfakes and fake social media ads to target Australians.
Economy
NZNew Zealand Exports Hit Record $8.6 Billion in April Driving Historic Trade Surplus
New Zealand exports climbed to a record $8.6 billion in April 2026, delivering a historic $1.9 billion trade surplus. Strong international demand for meat, gold, dairy, and crude oil offset rising global economic uncertainties.
Government & Policy
NZNZ Government Unveils Social Housing Shakeup: Rent Contribution to Rise to 30%
The New Zealand Government has announced a major restructuring of the social housing system, raising the minimum Income-Related Rent contribution from 25% to 30%. The change is expected to impact 84,000 households while generating $387.5 million in savings to fund private rental support.
Banking & Finance
NZKoura Wealth Doubles Maximum KiwiSaver Bitcoin Fund Allocation to 20 Per Cent
New Zealand KiwiSaver provider Koura Wealth has doubled its maximum Bitcoin fund allocation limit to 20%, citing increased institutional investment and growing member demand. The change is accompanied by an adjustment to the fund's automatic rebalancing threshold.
Consumer Finance
NZNew Zealand Electronic Card Spending Contracts as Cost of Living Squeezes Households
New Zealand's seasonally adjusted retail electronic card spending dropped by 1.3% in April 2026, reversing March gains. The broad-based slowdown across consumables, hospitality, and fuel indicates that elevated living costs are significantly dampening household demand.