The Reserve Bank says the risks to New Zealand's financial system have increased in the past six months. Its latest Financial Stability Report has identified slowing global growth, low dairy prices and rising house prices as risks. There had been speculation the RBNZ might today propose new restrictions on lending to the property market. But for now it is not making any changes to the current lending rules. Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler says the outlook for the global economy has "deteriorated" in recent months. Lower interest rates and low oil prices have not been enough to prevent a slowdown in the economies ... (full story)