Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds

3 days ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

The arrest of a person arriving at the border last month over unpaid student loan debt is an example of Inland Revenue "making up for lost time," one tax expert says. Inland Revenue said at the end of April there were 113,733 people with student loans believed to be based overseas. More than 70% were in default on their loans, owing $2.3 billion, of which more than $1b is penalties and interest. For about 24,000 of these overseas-based borrowers, the debt is more than 15 years old.

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

Shoppers are turning away from butter as prices soar - and there's a warning retail prices could get another dollar higher. As global dairy prices have soared, so too has the retail price of butter. Stats NZ recorded the average price of a block of butter in March at $7.33, up 10% from its December level of $6.66. In Woolworths this week, home brand butter was selling for $8.49. The Global Dairy Trade auction price for butter has risen from US$6631/MT in December to US$7992 in the latest auction.

3 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

One property investor says there is pain for some investors in the rental market as listings reach record numbers. Trade Me Property says the number of homes available for rent has reached a level not seen in more than 10 years. There were 41% more rental listings in March than in the same month last year, the highest number since 2014. "I think there's quite a few contributing factors at the moment," said Trade Me Property customer director Gavin Lloyd.

1 month ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

If you’re stocking up on Easter eggs for the kids in your supermarket shopping this weekend, you can expect them to cost a little more than they might have in years past. Rising cocoa prices have put pressure on the price of chocolate, and that’s flowing through to the sort that can be delivered by the Easter Bunny, too. In 2012, a Cadbury supermarket egg with two chocolate bars was selling for $13.99, or $10.99 or special. In 2016, the same eggs were cheaper – selling for $9.99.

1 month ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

An increase in the ACC levy is likely to mean a small reduction in employees' pay in the next pay period. From April 1, the levy increased from $1.60 per $100 to $1.67. That means someone who earns $2000 a week before tax would have their levy increase from $32 to $33.40. The amount has risen steadily over the years, from $1.39 per $100 in the year to March 31, 2022. It will rise to $1.75 next year and $1.83 the year after.