My adult daughter - my only child - has been living with her partner for nearly four years in a relationship that may or may not last - it seems to be up and down.

Moves to dampen surging house prices - especially in the Auckland market - came from two directions yesterday.

Debate about rising house prices in Auckland and elsewhere has included discussion on the risk weights the Reserve Bank requires banks to apply to their housing lending.

Banks are slashing their long-term mortgage rates, with customers tied up for longer periods likely to save thousands.

Mortgage approvals reached their highest levels in almost four years last month, as people rushed to make the most of low interest rates.

Self-described business coach Shane Wenzel has been sent to jail for three years for mortgage fraud.

Banks are dropping mortgage rates and offering cash sweeteners, loaded credit cards, payment of legal fees and tablet computers as they go to war for customers.

Govt has foiled an alleged BNZ KiwiSaver scheme which would have offered reduced scheme returns in exchange for mortgage benefits.

How would you feel if someone muscled in front of you in the queue at the bank? How would you feel if the manager actually encouraged queue-jumping? Bernard Hickey looks at bank assets.

Home owners with big mortgages can breathe a sign of relief - interest rates seem destined to stay low, despite a springtime house-price surge.

The steady life in sales and prices started in the central Auckland suburbs over a year ago and has now spread across the new supercity. But as Bruce Morris reports, it's still tough going out in the provinces.

Bank economists suggest it is time to fix at least part of your home loan.

Thousands of Kiwis chasing a cut in their home loan interest rate have caused a jam in the banking system.

Mortgage rates have hit rock bottom as banks offer thousands of dollars in cash and slash advertised interest rates in response to pressure from home-buyers for deals.