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For me Budget 2022 is not so much about whether the spending itself adds to inflation or not, it’s more a question of delivery. My gut tells me it would be better to focus on doing a few changes well, rather than biting off more than you can chew.
Inflationary expectations are becoming unhinged, with businesses’ expectations of inflation two years out running at their highest level in more than 30 years (since 1991)!
Unemployment is at a record low. Do I trust the precise number - hell no, do I trust the general tenor of what the unemployment result is pointing towards - heck yes.
The sharp increase in non-tradeables inflation worries me because it is the canary in the coal mine for the inflationary mindset that is becoming engrained in business decision-making.
With borders reopening, it is interesting to take a look at whether early signs are pointing towards New Zealand gaining or losing residents and short-term visitors? The answer to date is that the signs are not yet clear.
It was a pleasure to record a podcast with Andy Thompson last week. In a wide-ranging discussion we focused on inflation and the potential implications for interest rates within New Zealand.
New Zealand's Māori businesses are doing an incredible job on the world stage. Exports by businesses owned by Māori authorities rose 21% in 2021 to total $872 million.
The Reserve Bank decides on Wednesday what it wants to do to interest rates. This means that economists are beginning to dust their crystal balls, brush off the tarot cards, and meet up to argue over craft beers in back alleys as to what the Bank will do.
One of the key things that the tourism industry is going to have to grapple with as borders reopen is how to right-size capacity, given the uncertain speed with which tourism will recover.
A deep look into Queenstown's economy and how it is diversifying its way to a more resilient future. Tourism will always play an important role in our local economy, but many of the same things which attract tourists also bring talented people to our neck of the woods.
For all the recent talk of inflation, I have been disappointed that the debate largely reduced into conjecture […]
2021 was a year of of upside surprises. Although I remain optimistic about the outlook for 2022, there is also reason to be cautious. The Omicron outbreak has provided a reminder that Covid can still throw spanners in the works.