The looming trade war between the United States and China will have an effect well beyond the two countries' borders, with New Zealand likely to be caught in the middle. While not directly involved, trading nations like New Zealand could be adversely affected by the rise of protectionism, and the general undermining of the World Trade Organisation. While American and Chinese consumers will take most of the heat, the war of attrition between the two trading giants will also affect global markets and the principles of international trade.

New Zealand property values are flat heading into winter, as stock levels rise, time on market increases, and Auckland becomes a buyer's market for the first time in years. While the Wellington market is still strong and certain regional markets are performing well, Christchurch is down and national figures are cooling. According to Quotable Value (QV), the average value of all residential dwellings throughout the country was $677,618 in March, up 7.3 percent compared to March last year.

When it comes to exercise, procrastination is all too easy due to the mental and physical barriers that we put in place. People who want to get fit are often told to join a gym or buy an expensive piece of workout equipment - things that cost more time and money than most people have. There is a solution, however, working out at home. By turning your home into a gym and getting inspired by your domestic environment, you can break down the barriers that have been holding you back for so long.

From Miniature Poodles and Chihuahuas through to German Shepherds and Great Danes, there’s a reason why dogs are called man's best friend. Whether you want to get active, improve your social life, or reduce your stress levels, dogs can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. Owning a dog has even been linked to having a longer life, so what are you waiting for, grab your collar and lead or head down to the local pet shop and introduce yourself to your new best friend.

After decades of searching for signs of life in the stars, the very thing we've been looking for may have been on our galactic doorstep all along. A recent article in the Astrobiology journal suggests there may be life in the clouds of Venus. An international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have used evidence from new Venus footage to make these speculations. While Venus’ atmosphere has everything micro-organisms would need to survive, the study authors won't know what's really going on until they send a floating aircraft to comb the skies of Venus.

An imbalance between housing supply and demand has existed across New Zealand for many years, especially for affordable housing in the heated Auckland market. While New Zealand was recently recognised by Demographia as a global leader for restoring housing affordability, plans to remove the Auckland urban growth boundary and free up density controls are not enough by themselves. The government is also looking at more innovative solutions through their Kiwibuild plan, including the widespread use of prefabricated homes.

The New Zealand property market is at a turning point, with limited short-term growth failing to change long-term forecasts. Despite a short-term bounce in both prices and sales figures during February, the market remains at the early stages of an expected slowdown in property values. While low levels of construction activity and high migration numbers will put pressure on housing for some time to come, some commentators are suggesting the emergence of a buyers' market.

While spring inspires cleaning and summer is made for the great outdoors, autumn is the ideal time to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. Decorating your home using certain colours, styles and furnishings can warm your spirits and make a real difference to your mood in the lead-up to winter. From cool colours and earthy materials through to lighting fixtures and soft furnishings, let's take a look at some of the best ways to prepare your home interior for winter.

We all know that peace and quiet is good for your soul, but according to two new studies, it can also be good for your heart. Whether it's the roar of a jet engine, the rumble of a highway, or the screaming siren of an emergency vehicle, it turns out that loud noises can have a noticeable effect on your cardiovascular health. While research has not proved that loud noises cause heart disease, noise pollution may increase the risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure among other conditions.

Dogs are the second most popular type of pet in the world behind cats, with at least 525 million dogs currently living on planet Earth. People love dogs for many reasons, with our furry friends known to make us healthier, happier and more empathic. While all dogs have the potential to be your best friend, some breeds stand out from the pack when it comes to working intelligence. Let's take a look at five of the smartest dog breeds in the world and see which one is perfect for you.