GDP growth rates have been erratic because of the stop-go effects of lockdowns, but the economy is in reasonable shape to cope with the latest episode.
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Unsurprisingly, retail spending fell off a cliff during the latest level four lockdown. Early signs point to a swift recovery, but, inflation may dampen spirits.
The construction industry has been performing strongly in 2021. But the latest COVID-19 outbreak could have a dampening impact on the industry, especially in Auckland.
Many believe faster inflation is inevitable in New Zealand. But, could it be that it’s already well underway for parts of our economy, particularly our businesses?
Annual inflation increased to 3.3 percent in June 2021, the biggest increase in nearly 10 years. New Zealand’s period of low interest rates looks to be coming to an end.
Low-income New Zealanders are stuck at the mercy of inflation, and increasing rental prices. Is there any chance of them owning their own home amidst this housing crisis?
The Climate Change Commission provided its final climate change mitigation advice to the Government detailing the pathway towards a low emissions future for Aotearoa.
Budget 2021 addresses the challenges facing vulnerable communities. However, it fails to take the opportunity to use the strong recovery to be transformational.
Finance Minister says Budget 2021 will take a balanced approach that continues to emphasise investment where it is needed most, alongside careful fiscal management.
The unemployment rate has been slowly decreasing recently. But, could it be that this decrease is just a front, covering for more negative changes in our labour market?
Government spending on superannuation and benefits is growing rapidly, but it is not something that can easily be controlled, except through unpalatable policy measures.
New Zealand’s underinvestment in transport infrastructure has been well documented. How does the Government’s spending in this area compare to population and GDP growth?
New Zealand honey exports have surged in terms of value and volume over the last two years. This has been driven by Manuka honey exports to China and the US.
We all know that NZ performs well in primary sector exports. But it’s not just about meat and dairy. Horticulture exports have grown rapidly during the past five years.
Almost four million international visitors came to New Zealand in both 2018 and 2019, but COVID-19 has caused the number to collapse to less than one million.
The 4.9 percent unemployment rate recorded in the December 2020 quarter unemployment rate was lower than expected and employment optimism is improving.
Higher demand for New Zealand Kiwifruit, honey and wine, help them buck the trend as annual merchandise export values decline through the last three quarters of 2020.
GDP bounced back from its largest quarterly decline in June to record its largest increase in September. However, the effects of COVID could last longer than the virus.
A given sum in a Kiwisaver growth fund can grow to more than the same sum in a conservative fund. But the right provider can be as important as the right type of fund.
Latest Treasury forecasts show improving Government accounts expected. Stronger economic recovery pushes up expected tax take and jobless projections pushed down.
The Government’s better-than-expected financial situation provides the opportunity to address our pressing challenges in a more concerted – go hard, go fast – manner.
Not all New Zealanders earn enough income to cover their everyday costs. Which groups do not have enough income? And what can be done to provide them with enough income?
Labour set to get at least one more seat after specials are counted, resulting in final standings in next Parliament: Labour 65, National 34, Greens 10, ACT 10, Māori 1.
By the end of 2020, the RBNZ intends to create an expanded Funding for Lending Programme to provide low-cost funding for banks to lend to households and businesses.
The RBNZ is preparing for a long haul. It would do well for all businesses, organisations, family, whānau, iwi, and communities to similarly prepare for such a long haul.
The unemployment rate fell to 4.0 percent in the June quarter, but this figure can be dismissed as disguising the true state of the labour market and the wider economy.
Investing in the suggested projects, in a way that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, would support or create jobs, communities, businesses, and markets....
A presentation from our Data Manager Hugh Dixon on how and why local and regional councils could make use of Census data to monitor and plan for the future
The next COVID step is to carefully open some borders. Maybe with the 'Early Movers', but Southeast Asia and China could have lower risks and higher rewards.
Kiwis are coming home in considerable numbers. Many will bring with them valuable skills and experience, which will be important in rebuilding the economy.
One blue fiscal response, one red. Both extraordinary. Both conventional. The latter was an opportunity missed; the former is an opportunity hanging by a thread.
A $1.6 billion Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package aims to keep people in employment and provide opportunities for those who lost jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.
Big headline increases in housing and health fund improved access for increased demand, but no transformational funding for the social sector and education.
A $50 billion response and recovery fund is clearly much more than a textbook response. But job losses and community pain will need more support in coming months.
In 2006, new residential houses averaged 191 square meters in size. By 2010, the average size of new builds had increased to 200 square metres. Has this continued?
We look at the track of new and recovered cases of the virus to see whether the New Zealand community is likely to be able to make that claim by 20 April.
A quick summary of what might happen as New Zealand looks to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. We look at what this means for GDP and unemployment.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the immediate future in the face of COVID-19 we look at the government response and what this might mean for returning to 'normal'.
Turuki, Turuki, a new report from Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata looks to the future and makes recommendations on how we can transform our criminal justice system.
The number of cases of COVID-19 virus in the world’s wealthier places like Europe and USA seem to be higher than in the poorer ones like Africa, or even Asia.
With the possibility of a deep and prolonged recession because of COVID-19, the news about what happened to GDP in the December 2019 quarter might well pass unremarked.
“Be strong. Be kind. We will be OK.” A rallying call from the Prime Minister accompanied the release of today’s economic support package by the Minister of Finance.
Even in the face of climate change, consumerism shows no signs of slowing. In 2019 there was a total of 1.9 billion electronic card transactions, worth $94 billion.
For the 2018 Census the overall response rate was 83.3 percent, compared to 92.2 percent for the 2013 Census, a serious decline in the overall response rate.
People think of cost and value as interchangeable. Economics considers the opportunity cost, the alternative decision not choosen. Did we forget it has value too?
IPCC’s Climate Change and Land report found that land is a critical resource, stating that “land provides the principle basis for human livelihoods and well-being.”
Data quality issues threaten the usefulness of the 2018 Census. This will have to be carefully managed with researchers ensuring they fully understand the implications.
A discussion document to address agricultural emissions has been released. With 48 percent of New Zealand emissions a result of agriculture this is welcome progress.
How did Uber sell the idea that all of the taxi industry’s problems were caused by regulators, and that allowing Uber a laissez-faire industry would magically solve them?
Fresh from the media lockup, Chief Economist Ganesh Nana, Senior Economist Nick Robertson and Senior Researcher Amanda Reid discuss their impressions of the budget. (Vide
Is it transformative? Sadly, not really. However, it is an impressive spending budget – with $3.5bn new spend across the range of previously identified priorities.
Increased Government expenditure and stronger investment in the economy are expected to drive economic growth to reach three percent by 2020 before decreasing in 2023.
The Welfare Expert Advisory Group report to Government has been released. Establishing the level of income that is adequate in today’s Aotearoa was a fundamental issue.
The 700,000 people missed by the 2018 census have been filled in by admin data held by StatsNZ. If this was already available, do we really need a census?
StatsNZ has revealed to Parliament the scale of undercount of Census 2018. Around 700,000 people did not participate, or only partially answered the Census.
Prices of milk and cream would be expected to drive the prices of dairy-based products. Butter is almost entirely made of cream, but the relationship isn't holding true.
We look at Minister Hipkins ITP sector restructuring proposal and air our doubts on how successful it will be in delivering better outcomes and lowering costs.
December 2018 quarter unemployment increased to 4.3 percent, up from 4.0 percent in the September 2018 quarter while annual ordinary time hourly earnings for 2019 increased 3.1 percent.
Statistics New Zealand’s recent change in methodology for reporting migration data has brought to the fore the debate about providing timely data or accurate data.
The end of January marks the beginning of the school year, some parents will be reeling at the cost of sending their children off to get a "free" state funded education.
The release of the September quarter of the Australian National Accounts showed lower than expected GDP growth despite wage growth and a strong private sector.
New Zealand hits 3.82 million visitors in October 2018. Australians still make up the largest share of visitors, but Chinese visitors now represent 12 percent of total visitors.
National resident population estimates have been released by StatsNZ, giving insight into population change ahead of the census results being available.
A study of the size and scope of the Pacific economy in New Zealand, providing a foundation to understand the Pacific economy supporting further growth and development.
BERL has modeled the impacts of five tarakihi rebuild scenarios, which assessed the impact of each scenarios tarakihi stock levels and other fisheries.
The kaupapa was wider than business and trade – environmental concerns, building the indigenous leadership pipeline, and supporting communities were part of the kōrero.
The Government has recently announced that a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management will be developed alongside a National Environment Standard.
An audit to better understand the challenges councils face in supplying drinking water will also identify sector-level issues in delivering public drinking water.
The New Zealand economy is currently sitting precariously on several burning platforms. Some are simmering, some are smouldering, but some are outright sizzling.
New Zealand Customs announced the removal of departure cards from November 2018, creating a focus on the new migration measures that will be needed to replace them.
