Could business have expected more from a Budget labelled by Finance Minister Bill English as "a plan that's working"?

There's a lot we just don't know about the Government's moves on tax and real estate, writes Brian Fallow. Trying to judge the likely impact on the Auckland market of the property taxation measure the Government announced on Sunday is one of those times.

Is the Govt really getting double the amount of dividends from its sold down power companies?

Dr Juliet Newson's job as a geothermal reservoir modelling engineer at Contact Energy has her harnessing computer power to visualise the underground steam resources of the Wairakei area.

The size of the deficit distracts from a more meaningful question: what should government spending and taxes be as a fraction of the national income?

We might never see a CGT in this country, which could well be a good thing given the compromises that would likely be part of its introduction, writes Mark Lister.

David Chaplin on insurance company 'churn' or the shifting of clients to different providers for commission.

Successful people don't put things off. Instead, as much as possible they finish what they've started.

Fran O'Sullivan asks: Why is the Government holding back from stopping cashed-up foreigners from continuing to snap up homes at prices that mainly they can afford?

Up until a couple of months ago it was possible to use KiwiSaver to buy a first home in Australia but all that changed at the beginning of April.

The David Ross effect came into play again last week Sovereign hived off its remnant investment business.

Debbie Mayo-Smith reminds readers of five simple lessons to help improve sales including the power of silence.

When planning for the future seems just too hard, we all need a way to put it in focus.

For people other than residential property investors, Thursday's Budget is expected to be a nickel-and-dime affair, writes Brian Fallow.

The Government has surprised the market with a stronger than expected move on property tax, writes Liam Dann.

The Auckland residential property boom has developed some of the characteristics of the Dublin bubble a decade ago, writes Brian Gaynor.

Whatever lies ahead, your best bet is to avoid any position in which you have to sell - mortgagee sale or not, advises Mary Holm.

With rates going up again to pay for Mayor Brown's vision Brian Rudman is a little nervous about being stuck with funding the cycling lobby's cross-harbour vision as well.

The cut and thrust around Rank's Carter Holt IPO has begun...

Jock Anderson on Blues rugby player George Moala's recent discharge without conviction as an example of a two-tier justice system.

When Graeme Wheeler introduced the Reserve Bank's new rules for property investment in Auckland, he said that it was only one tool to manage the housing crisis.

Auckland house prices climbed 9.5 per cent in just the last three months, according to the Real Estate Institute - an alarming number, Brian Fallow writes.

To raise unspoiled children, discuss financial issues openly, says new book.

Increase a brazen move when Sky's prices are already an issue and we are in the first days of a competitive pay TV market, writes John Drinnan.

Dampening highly geared speculators' appetite for the Auckland cash-box housing market got the thumbs up from many quarters yesterday.

The Reserve Bank has abandoned its one-size-fits-all approach to loan-to-value ratio curbs recognising house price inflation is an Auckland problem.

No other advanced economy in the world would allow almost all of its banking system to be owned overseas, writes Paul Glass. "Let's require the big four banks to list 25 per cent of just their NZ operations on the NZ Stock Exchange."

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye toyed with the idea of issuing a ministerial direction to make it abundantly clear to the board of directors just who is in the box seat when it comes to funding policies.

David Chaplin says the Reserve Bank has made a heroic attempt to hose down the smouldering Auckland property market.