Latest News
All the latest NZ & Australian financial news
Housing & Property
AUHotspotting Identifies Ten Australian Regions Poised for Sustained Capital Growth
The May 2026 National Top 10 Best Buys report identifies ten Australian regions, including Greater Hobart and Belmont, as prime locations for long-term capital growth based on infrastructure and demand.
Government & Policy
NZNZ First Proposes Compulsory KiwiSaver at Birth and BNZ Buyback Plan
New Zealand First has announced plans to automatically enrol newborns in KiwiSaver with a $1000 contribution and buy back BNZ to create a new state-owned national bank.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUANZ Shares Face Scrutiny After Rough Week for Australian Banks Amid Budget and RBA Outlook
ANZ Group Holdings shares fell 4.3% last week as the banking sector faces a new economic landscape shaped by the RBA's rate hike to 4.35% and federal budget reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax.
Housing & Property
NZOne in Six New Westpac Home Loans Now Exceed One Million Dollars
New data reveals that one in six new home loans issued by Westpac New Zealand this year exceeds $1 million, as Auckland first-home buyers face a median entry price of $900,000.
Scams & Fraud
NZFinancial Markets Authority Issues Alert on Swift Wave Global Ponzi Scheme
The Financial Markets Authority has issued a high-risk warning for Swift Wave Global, a Ponzi-style scam linked to the collapsed BG Wealth Sharing scheme. Regulators report over $150 million in global losses associated with this fraudulent network.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZJosh Emett Joins Air New Zealand as Culinary Ambassador to Enhance Onboard Dining Experience
Air New Zealand has appointed Josh Emett as its new Culinary Ambassador to redesign premium dining experiences. The new menus will debut in October 2026 across long-haul flights from Auckland and North America.
Government & Policy
AUAustralia Opts Against Gas Export Controls for Q3 2026 Following Supply Assurances
Minister for Resources Madeleine King has announced that Australia will not implement gas export controls for Q3 2026, citing near-full storage levels and industry assurances.
Banking & Finance
NZKiwiSaver Funds Show Mixed Performance in May 2026 Update as Growth Assets Lead Recovery
KiwiSaver growth funds saw a significant rebound in April 2026, with some funds returning nearly 10% following a volatile start to the year. The recovery comes as contribution rates rise to 3.5% and global markets hit record highs.
RBA & Rates
AUAustralia's Annual Inflation Cools to 4.3% in May as Fuel Price Pressures Ease
Australia's annual inflation rate reportedly eased to 4.3% in May 2026, down from 4.6% in March. While fuel price pressures moderated, housing costs and underlying inflation remain above the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band.
Banking & Finance
AUCommonwealth Bank Shares Record Historic Fall as Housing Tax Reforms Reshape Financial Outlook
Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares suffered a record single-day fall of over 8% following a cautious Q3 update and the announcement of major housing tax reforms in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUVentia Secures A$405 Million Maintenance Renewal with Yarra Valley Water
Ventia Services Group has renewed a major maintenance contract with Yarra Valley Water worth A$405 million over nine years, consolidating four existing agreements into one.
Scams & Fraud
NZQR code fraud surges in New Zealand as quishing threats double in two months
QR code-based 'quishing' scams have more than doubled in New Zealand, now making up 9.3% of all detected cyber threats. Scammers are currently exploiting a new NZ$2.54 import charge to trick mobile users into visiting fraudulent payment sites.
Banking & Finance
AUNAB Increases Variable Home Loan Rates Following RBA Cash Rate Hike
National Australia Bank has raised its variable home loan rates by 0.25% following the RBA's decision to lift the cash rate to 4.35%. The move marks the third consecutive increase this year, adding significant costs to Australian mortgages.
Economy
NZNew Zealand Manufacturing Growth Stalls Amid Rising Supply Chain Costs
New Zealand's manufacturing sector slowed significantly in April 2026, with the PMI dropping to 50.5. Escalating costs linked to Middle East conflict are impacting supply chains and new orders.
Housing & Property
AURegional Australian Property Markets Outperform Capitals with Double-Digit Growth
Regional Australian property values have grown by 3.3% in the last three months, more than triple the growth rate of capital cities, as Western Australia and Queensland lead a national surge.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZNZX50 Index Concludes Week with 1.8% Decline Amid Selective Buying
The NZX50 index fell 0.6% on Friday to close out a difficult week, with the headline index down 1.8% over five days. While Fisher & Paykel Healthcare saw significant losses, Gentrack and Property for Industry recorded gains in a session marked by selective buying.
Government & Policy
NZPrime Minister Christopher Luxon Signals Fiscal Discipline with $2.1 Billion Operating Spending Cap
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a reduced $2.1 billion operating allowance for Budget 2026, down $300 million from previous estimates. The government will instead prioritise a $5.7 billion capital package to bolster infrastructure and essential services.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUASX 200 Ends Five-Day Losing Streak as Global Tech Rally and US-China Talks Lift Sentiment
The S&P/ASX 200 ended a five-day losing streak on 15 May 2026, gaining 0.48% to reach 8,681.9 points. The rally was driven by strong performance on Wall Street and a 27.7% surge in Megaport shares, though domestic inflation concerns persist.
Scams & Fraud
NZAuckland Resident Recovers $19,300 After Sophisticated SIM Swapping Fraud
An Auckland man has recovered $19,300 after falling victim to a sophisticated SIM swapping scam that targeted his ANZ bank account. The incident has prompted One NZ to implement a new 15-minute delay on SIM transfers.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUGraincorp shares decline 13 per cent following half-year profit contraction
Graincorp Ltd shares plummeted 13% to A$5.38 after the company reported a 52% drop in underlying NPAT for the first half of 2026. Despite the earnings contraction caused by global grain oversupply, the company has reaffirmed its full-year guidance.