A shortage of houses in the first-home buyers' market over winter has caused a rise in multi-offer agreements, confusing those new to the real estate game.

Online shoppers spent record amounts on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it the biggest online shopping day in US history.

Better weather this year has seen lamb numbers jump by 1.7 million and good prices will help the sector add $100 million more to the local economy than it did last season.

New Zealand's trade deficit was smaller than expected in October as exporters shipped more crude oil and meat.

The sight of a couple ignoring each other while out to dinner in order to tap away on smartphones is increasingly common - but the hospitality industry says it has little choice but to accommodate the trend.

Businesses are wasting time and money trying to reach people online because many Kiwis resent brands invading their social space, a new study suggests.