Financial confidence levels have dropped back to 2009 levels, says a new survey.

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders are finding they can't pay their bills and going into arrears, then finding their credit record was affected, credit bureau Veda Advantage says.

You might be surprised how often insurance companies call their customers liars, fraudsters or criminals, and the flimsy basis on which they sometimes do so.

Are you swelling with national pride? New Zealand has once more been granted Aaa status by international credit-ratings agency Moody's.

The "GST-income tax switch" will from tomorrow leave the vast majority of income earners with at least a few more dollars in their pockets each week.

"Many mum and dad investors have lost large sums of money because of the poor investment advice they've received," blurted Simon Power.

Businesses are concerned that the GST rise will dampen down already weak consumer confidence.

Kids and KiwiSaver

Ice cream company owner Greg Hall is fearful about how the GST hike will affect his "magic price point".

It's strange that the National Australia Bank's (NAB) final knockback in its attempt to take over AXA has received such little airplay in the New Zealand press.

One upside of the Christchurch earthquake is that nature has unleashed the biggest job creation scheme NZ has seen.