RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS ON THE RISE AFTER A PERIOD OF LOW TO FALLING PRICES, QV COSTBUILDER DATA SHOWS

The latest figures from QV's CostBuilder construction cost database shows the average cost of building a standard home in the main centres increased 0.5% over the three months to the end of November, and 1.1% over the year to the end of November.

WESTPAC LAUNCHES SCHEME TO HELP OWNERS PROTECT HOMES FROM EXTREME WEATHER

Westpac NZ is offering interest-free, home loan top-ups to improve the resilience of homes to natural hazards and extreme weather.

INVERCARGILL COUNCIL'S $2.4M STORM DAMAGE BILL UNLIKELY TO BE RECOVERED BY INSURANCE

The damage caused by the storm that swept through Invercargill in October has cost the local council about $2.4 million, but it expects much of that cost will not be able to be recovered through insurance.

HOUSING MARKET CONFIDENCE RISES: 'IT'S VERY MUCH A BUYER'S MARKET’

Confidence in the New Zealand housing market has risen to its highest level in 15 years, with more people thinking it is a good time to buy.

LOCAL COUNCILS RELIEVED WITH GOVERNMENT'S RATES CAPPING APPROACH

The national voice for local councils is relieved that the government is taking a more flexible approach to capping the amount local councils can increase rates.

DOCTORS' UNION, HEALTH NZ KEEN TO GET BACK TO BARGAINING AFTER FAILED ERA BID

Both the doctors and dentists' union and Health New Zealand say their focus is to get back to the bargaining table to hash out a pay deal.

MĀORI QUEEN LAUNCHES MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT PLATFORM

Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po has launched the 'Kotahitanga Fund', a new multi-million-dollar Māori investment platform.

WOMEN 'WORKING FOR NOTHING' FROM THIS WEEK

New Zealand women start working for nothing from this week.

Although the country's gender pay gap improved this year, campaigners say there is much work to be done to bring pay equality for New Zealand women.

CONSTRUCTION OF CONTROVERSIAL SEWERAGE PIPELINE NEAR ROTORUA LAKE HEADS BACK TO COURT

The Rotokākahi Board of Control (RBOC) was taking the Rotorua Lakes Council to the High Court over the Tarawera Sewage Scheme which would connect about 440 Lake Tarawera properties to the public wastewater network.