1Two weeks ago, Finance Under Secretary Trevor de Cleene provoked share brokers by questioning the value of sharemarket investment.This week he held meetings with several members of the New Zealand Stock Exchange where a degree of understanding was reached.

2A Maori Development Bank is on the agenda for this week's Maori Economic Summit. Promoted by accountant, academic, and Māori leader Whatarangi Winiata, it aims to create a place for Maoridom in financial markets using a joint Government / Maori trustee approach.

3On Tuesday, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Spencer Russell gave a speech to the Institute of Credit and Financial Management in which he stressed the Government's determination to run a tight monetary policy, even at the expense of high interest rates in the short term. He also warned financial institutions that the Reserve Bank will not be a safety net for any financial institution that doesn't follow "prudential business practices and policies". Interview with Spencer Russell.