The ASB has ended the year on an optimistic note, with the bank expecting GDP growth in New Zealand to improve over coming months despite domestic business pessimism and growing global uncertainty. According to their latest Quarterly Economic Forecast, GDP growth is likely to reach almost 3 percent at the end of 2018 as the New Zealand economy heads into the summer break feeling confident and ready to tackle the challenges of 2019.

House prices in New Zealand have gone through a correction phase over recent months, especially in the over-heated Auckland market. While prices could firm next year due to recent falls in mortgage interest rates, experts are predicting downward pressure to remain in 2020 and beyond as the market adjusts to new conditions. Despite this long-term outlook, the median selling price in New Zealand managed to set a new record in October according to REINZ figures, with house sales also up 15.5 percent compared to a year ago.

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it's almost time to get out your credit card and start shopping. From new gaming devices and wearable fitness gadgets through to household tech and mobile speakers, technology always plays an important role during the holiday period. Let's take a look at some of the best tech products available this year, to give you some ideas for gifts to place under the tree.

Plastics are a common feature of modern life, with different types of plastics found in everything from the clothes we wear through to the beauty products we put on our skin. While these moldable polymers are ubiquitous and can be highly useful, they have also been associated with a range of problematic health issues. Microplastics are causing particular concern among healthcare professionals, with these tiny pieces of plastic either directly added to consumer products or created accidentally when larger plastics break down.

When it comes to cycling culture and infrastructure, some countries have a much better approach than others. While there are more than one billion bicycles in the world, the distribution curve is far from equal. Some cities embrace bikes with open arms, and others seem reticent to set up bike-friendly infrastructure. If adopted, bike use is more than just a way to get around your favourite city, it also has the ability to improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint. Let's take a look at the most bicycle friendly destinations on Earth and how they differ from the struggling bike culture in Australia and New Zealand.