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KiwiSaver, retirement, and fiscal sustainability – who should bear the risk and the return of retirement policies?

Budget 2025 announced $1.78 billion in new operational spending for health, but what is the investment need in the health sector today? We crunched the numbers.

The “Growth Budget” keeps the government on track towards its fiscal responsibility objectives despite global economic headwinds.

As debates rage on about the role of the state in sustaining economic growth, economic thinking around “crowding” effects is quietly evolving.

2024’s child poverty release was the first time that the government was judged to have missed its targets on all three measures.

Throughout human history, biodiversity has been essential to survival, but what value, if any, does biodiversity bring to the modern economy?

How can sustainable economic policies shape intergenerational equity to ensure future generations inherit a fair and thriving world?  

The 2024 financial statements of the Government revealed the largest OBEGAL deficit since COVID-19 and the GFC. 

The housing crisis is at the heart of the issue of increasing poverty among older people. 

Environmental and climate change initiatives have not been slashed and burned, instead the money has been shifted around to reflect different priorities.

A no-surprises first budget for the coalition government sees two thirds of new funding for budget 2024 going to education, health, and law and order.

Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list highlights a global trend as baby boomers transfer their wealth to the next generation.

The Reserve Bank accepts that many of its usual labour market indicators performed poorly during COVID-19. 

The universities’ recent responses to emerging challenges appear fragmented and shortsighted. So, how did we get here?

The new government has begun disestablishing Te Pūkenga, bringing a halt to all recruitment, as part of its 100-day plan. 

Could tripartite consensus and open dialogue be fostered to encourage long-term economic planning over short-termism?

This week, the New Zealand Treasury opened its books, showing optimistic forecasts for economic growth, inflation, and employment.

Migration and international travel are recovering. But the shifted dynamics, and the balance between long-term departures and arrivals, pose a challenge.

Budget 2023, shaped by competing dynamics, lived up to its name – the “no frills” budget. It also revealed that we are playing catch-up with our largest neighbour.

RBNZ’s intention to create a recession appears thwarted, according to Budget Economic and Fiscal Update forecasts.

The impacts of climate change will be costly

Treasury forecasts suggest no easing of pressures currently ravaging the economy. Key economic indicators point towards a tough couple of years ahead. 

The 2023 Budget Policy Statement makes the Government’s priority clear as it heads into the election year – reduce inflation. 

Monetary policy is a complex, yet blunt tool. Does a dual mandate simply further take away from monetary policy serving its primary purpose?

Natural gas prices are rising rapidly in Europe, leading to rises in the prices of energy, steel, zinc, and fertiliser.

The Ministry of Education will replace the decile system with the new Equity Index. Will this new Equity Index lead to more equitable allocation of funding to schools?

Unemployment has fallen to very low levels during the time of COVID-19. Which groups in the population have benefitted the most? And can low unemployment last?

We summarise what we liked and what could have been better in Budget 2022.

New Zealand released its first Emissions Reduction Plan, which sets out how we will meet our first emissions budget. The plan seems ambitious and not entirely convincing.

The Black Budget reminds us that budgets can destroy political careers. This article looks at the Black Budget to understand why it was so unpopular.