Demand for consumer credit is increasing, though arrears are continuing to increase.

The move is a response to customer demand to cope with gambling addictions, the bank says.

KMD Brands said sales were down for all its brands – Kathmandu, Oboz and Rip Curl.

The economic outlook for the next 12 months has been revised down, though population growth is expected to support a recovery in 2026.

Hotels have had a strong increase in bookings as international tourist numbers edge towards pre-Covid levels.

The company plans to lay off 700 posties over the next five years and pass their duties to contracted courier drivers.

It would only be a slight exaggeration to now call McDonald’s a tech company that happens to sell burgers. So what happens when it goes wrong, as it did Friday night around New Zealand?

Money was unlawfully taken for travel, wet weather gear and storage, leaving them wageless, workers claim.

Some McDonald’s stores were back online after a global technology outage on Friday disrupted operations for a few hours at many of the restaurant chain’s outlets.