Monday media round-up 22/02/10

A selection of personal finance stories from the last few days.
 

• NZ Investment Scene a history of 'betrayal'
  AXA Chief executive Ralph Stewart has launched a stinging attack on his own industry and the successive governments that failed to control it. (Sunday Star Times)
   
• Property - sealing the deal
  The term "making an offer" makes real estate negotiation sound like a casual business. It is not, writes Liz McDonald. (The Press)
   
• IRD records headache for providers
  Problems with Inland Revenue records mean hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are in the dark over their KiwiSaver funds, say providers. (Stuff)
   
• Huljich pulls KiwiSaver statement
  KiwiSaver provider Huljich Wealth Management has withdrawn its investor statement for its retirement fund after concerns were raised about reporting of historical investment returns. (Stuff)
   
• Moves to help mum and dad investors
  Mum and dad investors could get a one stop shop agency to watch over investments under a new proposal being considered by the Government. (NZ Herald)
   
• Martin Hawes: Shares are big business
  "It is a strange thing about Kiwis. We are averse to buying shares but as a nation we go into business as readily as any people I know." (NZ Herald)
   
• Mary Holm: No use crying over spilt money
  Mary answers readers' questions about keeping shares vs paying off mortgage, joining KiwiSaver as a student, changing KiwiSaver providers and investing in US brokerage accounts. (NZ Herald)
   
• KiwiSaver fund boss admits extra cash top-ups
  Businessman Peter Huljich has admitted using his own money to top up his company's three KiwiSaver funds, which have become the first to be investigated by the Securities Commission. (NZ Herald)
   
• Warning signs for KiwiSaver 
  The growing amounts in people's KiwiSaver funds mean they ought to be asking questions about who is managing that money and what they are doing with it. (NZ Herald)
   
• Liam Dann: Get the little things right to avoid a big mess
  "Should KiwiSavers be concerned about their money? Simple question - easy answer. Yes, of course they should. Anyone who thinks they can invest their money and forget about it is living in a fantasy land." (NZ Herald)
   
• Diana Clement: Rules for the bank of Mum and Dad
  Is it good for children if parents readily bail them out of financial difficulties? (NZ Herald)