‘There is little doubt we face a fully-fledged economic crisis, beyond the current cost of living crisis.’ (Matthew Hooton, New Zealand Herald , 30 September 2022)
Read MoreWhat State is the Economy In?
New Zealand economy
About the Economic Future: Good Questions – Uncertain Answers
An uncertain attempt to explain what is going on in the economy. If you confidently know the answers to any of these questions, you have not been following closely enough.
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Frustrations of an unreconstructed, unrepentant Keynesian
Two weeks out from the Budget, it's a good time to remember what is the means of economic management and what are the true ends
Read MoreJacinda returns: Baby under one arm, political capital under the other. How will she spend it?
The coalition government has lost its way after the burst of policy in its first 100 days. So Jacinda Ardern's return this weekend signals a key moment in its life... and its path to 2020
Read MoreChina Jitters
World Sharemarkets Are Sneezing. What Does That Tell Us About the World Economy?
Read MoreThe State of the Economy: August 2015
Notes for Radio NZ Nights with Brian Crump: 11 August, 2014
Read MoreIs the Economy Heading Into a Recession?
Whatever the answer, what are we going to do about it?
Read MoreKeep it in perspective, eh?
National's attempt to downplay economic concerns is like telling the All Blacks not to worry about playing without their front row
Read MoreExplaining the New Zealand economy to a Latin American
The following response to three questions (in italics) was published in a prestigious Uruguayan weekly newspaper Brecha. It may be of interest because I am responding to the Latin American economic debate which is slightly different from the New Zealand one (but only slightly). Sorry for the included material necessary for an audience outside New Zealand. Thankyou. Nicola, for checking the translation from Spanish.
Read MoreAn economic comedy in four acts
A little pre-Christmas fun, looking at Treasury's prediction that National will fail to reach its much-promised surplus through some literary lenses
Read MoreWhat economic resilience looks like
Unusually for small, advanced countries New Zealand remains heavily reliant on agricultural for its living. So is it time to take a bigger punt on technology?
Read MoreThe big kahunas - facing up to NZ's top economic challenges
Brian Easton's post this week raise questions about the serious and long-term issues facing not only this new government, but several to come. Can a consensus be achieved?
Read MoreHow sustainable is New Zealand?
One of the biggest issues missed during the election campaign was the sustainability of National's economic, environmental and even social policies. So what do you do if the government's not thinking long-term?
Read MoreIdeas, ethics & drugs - why you need to keep asking
Ask and you will receive... Maybe. Eventually. In an election campaign getting a straight answer can be like pulling teeth
Read MoreA Lange summer spent re-thinking asset sales
There are altenatives to selling off the SOEs, so why not look at some other options?
Read MoreSeriously, politicians: What the hell?!
Why does our political landscape so often resemble open mic night at the local comedy club?
Read MoreThe Budget wish list
Bill English is running scared of big bang reforms in this year's Budget, fearful of voter backlash. But what about some big ideas that have broad public support?
Read MoreSuper Fund: some debt good, other debt bad
If the government opts to cut contributions to the Superannuation Fund, it will be effectively telling New Zealanders 'don't bother to save' and further exposing its zealous love of tax cuts above all else
Read MoreThe truth about National's so-called stimulus: not a penny more
Pundit has finally received answers from Bill English's office about the government's stimulus package. Contrary to the spin, the government is re-announcing already promised money, it has not added a cent to its spending since December, and while the rest of the world ups the ante, New Zealand is sitting on its hands
Read MoreNational News Brief, Wednesday November 19
National cabinet sworn in today; verdicts in Nia Glassie case; housing slump worst on record; John Key reconsiders 'fart tax'; birth rate at highest level since 1962; and more
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