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Residential building work has dropped for the third consecutive quarter in a row, according to new data.

The Wellington region led the annual decline, with a 13 percent PA fall in residential construction put in place.

Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says this downturn reflects high interest rates and declining house prices trickling down to the construction sector.

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More trouble for the carbon credit scheme that Labour wants to use to fund climate initiatives.

The Government has tried - and failed - a third time to auction off credits, giving businesses the right to emit carbon dioxide.

This means Treasury is now short over $900 million ahead of Tuesday's Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says the credits will be available to purchase again- but economists warn the units could be harder to sell a fourth time.

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One expert warns that Kiwis will soon feel more pain at the pump.

Crude oil prices have climbed to new heights, after Saudi Arabia and Russia committed to maintaining their production cuts through to the end of 2023.

Brent oil reached $90 per barrel for the first time since November. 

NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this is the first time since 2021 that crude oil prices have surged without the tax break in place.

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Claims truth is the first casualty of the election season.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has had to apologise for the actions of several party members, with inaccurate information being shared about National and ACT's plans for the country.

Willie Jackson found himself in hot water over his claims about minimum wage, junior staffers have been exposed lying about the opposition's plans for student loan interest- among others.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the first week of the 2023 election campaign has been dominated by untruths from Labour.

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National's transport spokesman has labelled Auckland Light Rail's commercial building purchase 'shocking'.

Auckland Light Rail has signed a $33 million contract to buy the Kiwi Bacon Building, located on New North Road.

That's despite National vowing to scrap the $14.6-billion-dollar project if elected next month.

Simeon Brown says the Government has had six years to deliver and hasn't presented a business case to purchase the building.

"The Government hasn't got a business case, they haven't got a route- yet they've decided to spend $33 million on a commercial property. This is absolutely unbelievable." 

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There are concerns over employers making young people work during school hours.

James Cook High School principal Grant McMillan says most employers are helpful and work with the school.

But he says some fast food places and construction sites make kids ditch school for work.

"Sadly, there are a small group of employers who tend to exploit young people by ensuring that the employer's needs are met before the young person's school - or other needs - are met."

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A slow down for the clean-up of silt in the cyclone ravaged Hawke's Bay.

About $44 million has been committed to managing silt and debris.

But the Regional Council says the money's run out a month earlier than expected.

Silt Recovery Taskforce Lead Darren de Klerk says they've explained the issue to the Government.

"To get us going for the next six months through to the end of summer 2024, we've forecast around $18 million. That should put a significant dent in the silt."

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The Police Minister says bolstering the police force will help New Zealand tackle a complex crime situation.

Labour has promised 300 more cops over four years if re-elected.

It's on top of about 1800 more staff coming on board since Labour won the 2017 election.

Police Minister Ginny Andersen says it will make a material difference.

"Those extra police officers mean that when people call the phone and ring up police, we get a response immediately."

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he'll visit China by the end of the year.

This trip will be the first visit to the region from an Australian Prime Minister since 2016.

It's been speculated for several months that Albanese will make this journey, after a successful interaction with Xi Jinping at a G20 meeting last year.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this meeting is the first step of a journey to repair relations between both nations.

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Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has jetted to Sydney, but there's no guarantees he'll play in Saturday's NRL finals match against the Penrith Panthers.

The Warriors' 'Player of the Year' has reportedly suffered a lower leg injury and has just a 50/50 chance of taking the field.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

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