Entries are open for the 29th annual Bay of Plenty ExportNZ Awards, which celebrate the cream of the Bay’s export crop.

Longstanding sponsors Sharp Tudhope Lawyers, YOU Travel, Page Macrae Engineering and Beca are once again all supporting the best local exporters.

Key points

We expect the RBNZ will leave the OCR unchanged at 1.75% at its Official Cash Rate Review next Wednesday at 2pm. The RBNZ will reaffirm the next move "could be up or down". We’re content to be picking "down".

REINZ is delighted to announce that it has recently appointed Joanne Rae as the new Head of Property Management. Jo brings significant experience to her new role, having worked in property management since 1990.

Clarks Beach will soon see an influx of Counties Power crews as the company completes a million-dollar electricity network upgrade. The $1.4m project includes building a new underground network and removing power poles.

Today the High Court imposed civil penalties totalling $220,000 against Agria and Mr Alan Lai for breaches of the requirement to remain of good character under conditions of Agria’s investment in PGG Wrightson.

Trade Me is supportive of today’s announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to reform New Zealand’s firearms laws.

Four waterfront properties in the lifestyle block enclave of Pahoia in the Bay of Plenty have been placed on the market for sale simultaneously through Bayleys Real Estate.

NZ Post is undertaking a review of the delivery of any firearms, or firearms parts, through its network.

Today the High Court imposed fines totalling $220,000 against Agria and Mr Alan Lai for breaches of the requirement to remain of good character under conditions of Agria’s investment in PGG Wrightson.

An easier stance from the US Federal Reserve spurred markets overnight. The US dollar fell and bonds rallied as investors contemplated lower interest rates for longer.