In a potential blow for the 9,000 investors in failed property financier St Laurence, Bluestone has withdrawn from talks to buy two contracts to manage Irongate Property from the receiver Deloitte.

Think it's all good down on the farm? Think again. Property values are plunging, and the crisis could yet hit the cities too, reports Karyn Scherer.

Firm fills the gaps between advertising, design and project management.

The New Zealand dollar will probably test US78c this week as the currency rides the wave of stronger prices for raw materials.

The New Zealand dollar recovered yesterday from a fall triggered by weaker than expected growth data for the September quarter.

Authorities say a string of brazen and violent bank robberies in Auckland are probably linked, after a shotgun-wielding bank robber wished a terrified customer a Merry Christmas before taking off with about $100,000 cash.