Stories by Susan Edmunds
News
Westpac cuts home loan rates below 5%
It says it's the first of the major banks to offer a sub-5 percent rate this cycle.
Should first-home buyers rush to get in the market?
Property research firm Corelogic says there is good news for first-home buyers in 2025.
Biggest KiwiSaver provider among the worst performing
The latest data on the country's best and worst-performing funds is out.
Gen X and later generations warned about retirement plans
The latest Retirement Expenditure Guidelines show what retirees are spending for a no-frills and choices lifestyle in provincial and metropolitan centres.
Don't 'bet the house' on the property market, economist warns
Kiwis may need to come terms with not being able to rely on huge strong capital gains, an expert says. Audio
Reserve Bank criticised for staff numbers, but is it fair?
Economists say whether it has the right number of people is not a straightforward question to answer.
Why has NZ's economy been hit so hard?
Last year was a tough one, even compared to other similar countries. We ask experts what went wrong. Audio
Where are the mortgagee sales?
Interest rates put pressure on - but there's a reason why we haven't seen more forced sales.
Tariff war sparks interest rate warning in NZ
Trade tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could mean interest rates stay higher here.
Critics slam 'punitive' new benefit sanctions
Some beneficiaries will have to prove they are looking for work before they can get back to "green" on the traffic light system.
ASB cuts home loan rates
Some popular short-term term mortgage fixes will drop its one-year rate by five basis points.
How much you need to save each week for a comfy retirement
So you want to save $500,000 for retirement. What does it take to get there?
'Real risk of double-digit increases' in power prices
Here are three reasons you might pay more for electricity this year. Audio
Will I be taxed for selling US$200k of shares? - Ask Susan
RNZ's money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers your questions.
Experts pick stocks to watch in 2025
Despite this week's DeepSeek shakeup, commentators are picking a generally positive year for sharemarkets.
Thousands tap KiwiSaver for 'second chance' at home ownership
KiwiSaver money can generally only be withdrawn when someone buys a first house or retires - except for particular exemptions.
NZ could become 'net exporter' of population
If current trends continue, NZ could quickly reach a point where more people are leaving than arriving, experts say.
Housing market set for a comeback, data firm says
In much of the country, there's evidence that the bottom of the market has been reached. "The question is what happens next."
How much longer do borrowers want to wait for 'best' interest rate?
ANZ expects house prices to rise 6 percent over this year.
Kiwi couple trapped in Noumea for 10 days fail in bid to get insurer to pay
The couple complained to the Financial Services Complaints, after political unrest in Noumea forced them to hunker down for ten days.
Former business owner's house at risk over tax debt
The former business owner has been told she owes IRD nearly $34,000 and counting.
Things 'about to get scary' for coffee industry
Café owner Richard Corney says the sector is in "uncharted territory" as coffee prices hit levels not seen since the '70s.
'Open-season on renters': No-fault evictions are back
The Greens say the change is abhorrent and experience overseas shows it results in more homelessness.
Are savers leaving returns on the table?
Savers who keep their money in big bank accounts may be missing out on potential interest.