Corrected: Here are the key things you need to know before you leave work today.
Treasury's monthly review of the country's economy was out today. It confirms it sees inflation rising and OCR increases soon. It also sees early signs the LVR restrictions are working to restrain house prices, noting that sales volumes are falling. However, rising net permanent migration are putting pressures on the other way.
Treasury also assesses the impact of Japan's 'Abenomics' policies on New Zealand, concluding they have benefited New Zealand consumers but hurt some New Zealand exporters.
John Key has announced he is off to Australia on Thursday to Saturday to meet with Tony Abbott. Clearly he will not be at Waitaingi this year, but working across the ditch. He will be here for Waitangi Day, but leaves for Australia late that day.
On this side, Finance Minister Bill English's brother Conor English has announced his resignation as the CEO of Federated Farmers. He leaves in July.
Over the day today, our exchange rate has risen off the lows it started at following New Yorks Friday close. The rises were against most currencies.
90 day bank bills were down 3 bps today at 11am from that time on Friday. Similarly at mid-afternoon, swap rates were down 1 or 2 bps after pushing higher on Friday..
Asset Finance have lowered their five year TD rate; the new rate is now 8.60%, down 15 bps from 8.75%.
For a more general look at the rate prospects for savers, see Gareth Vaughan's review.
And David Hargreaves has taken a close look at Auckland Council's submission to the proposed Local Government law change. Auckland Council sees a trap for ratepayers.
And finally, the Overseas Investment Office of LINZ has approved eight transactions to foreign buyers in December, only one of which was a farm, a 347 ha dairy farm near Oamaru. The buyer is a local limited partnership, but who has a predominance of offshore partner members.
Correction: An earlier version of this story and headline incorrectly said PM Key would be in Australia on Waitangi Day. In fact, he will be attending celebrations here on Thursday and will leave for Australia late on that same day.
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