Kirk Hope

The government's budget fulfilled most business expectations offering no surprises, sticking to a consistent and middle of the road approach to spending and economic management. Audio

The government's annual budget is released this Thursday and the expectations have already been largely shaped by a plethora of pre-budget announcements Audio

Activity in the services sector is seeing increased expansion, driven up by especially strong sales and new orders. The BNZ - Business New Zealand Performance of Services Index rose 2.6 points to 57.7… Audio

An industry organisation, Business New Zealand, says the Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act won't address problems with the legislation and will make matters worse, not… Audio

The change requiring employers to hire New Zealanders ahead of migrants for low-skilled jobs is gaining praise from the business community. Audio

Business New Zealand's chief executive, Kirk Hope joins Morning Report. Audio

Retailers and banker are at odds over claims local merchants are paying substantially more than their overseas counterparts for credit and debit card transactions. Audio

How much of a problem is it to get a mortgage if you're over a certain age? And what age might that be? Of course it's against Human Rights legislation to discriminate against someone on the basis of… Audio

Some would-be Auckland property investors may already be too late to get a loan from the bank, even though new lending restrictions won't take effect until October. . Audio

The Bankers Association says investors will need to hustle if they are seeking a bank loan to buy an Auckland property after October 1st, with less than a 30 percent deposit. Audio

The international rating agency, Fitch, says proposed tougher rules for property investors are credit positive for the country's banks. Audio

In a bid to cool Auckland's overheated housing market, investors will soon need a 30 percent deposit before they can get a bank loan. Audio

Meanwhile, borrowers outside of Auckland do get a reprieve, with the existing 10 percent limit on new mortgage lending to potential borrowers with deposits of less than 20 percent rising to 15… Audio

The banking industry has come up with a plan to help homeowners in multi-unit housing complexes to borrow money to fix their leaky buildings. Audio

The New Zealand Bankers Association is defending an ANZ privacy waiver that would enable it to hand over sensitive client information to the United States. Audio

New limits on mortgage lending to people with low deposits come into force today. Audio

The Banker's Association says it's not just first home buyers that will be affected by the Reserve Banks' new loan restrictions. Audio

Banks claim first home buyers will suffer if proposed mortgage lending restrictions go ahead Audio

The New Zealand Bankers' Association chief executive Kirk Hope is with us. Audio

Kirk Hope is CEO of the Bankers Association, and he joins us live. Audio