In recent months, banks have been writing bigger mortgages as a ratio to the value of property.

Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf tells parliament's finance and expenditure committee its forecast average annual growth of 2.5% in the next five years is by and large intact.

Graeme Wheeler's first appearance before a parliamentary select committee descends into farce when the room is cleared to let politicians argue for more time with him.

The airport has extracted $100 million in excessive profits with its most recent price increases for services, says its biggest customer, Air New Zealand.

A "disappointing" share price means the government won't be in a hurry to sell down its 75% stake in the national carrier.

A select committee hasn't heard one submission in favour of the Mixed Ownership Model Bill, but fund managers lend their support.