New housing statistics have identified increasing numbers of Auckland suburbs that are out of reach for first-time buyers, with childless big-earners the most likely to be able to buy now.

Higher fuel prices are likely to mean lower profit margins and lower real wages.

BNZ and Kiwibank have joined the other banks and cut mortgage rates.

The receivers of Equitable Mortgages say it's too soon to say how much of the property lender's $188.4m worth of loans they are likely to recover.