An oversupply of convention centres
Changes in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as increased awareness about carbon emissions, may mean that New Zealand finds itself with an oversupply of convention centres.
Articles written by leading NZ economist about Regional
Megatrends of relevance to exports from the regions
Megatrends are long-term overarching global and domestic forces that have significant implications for business, economy, society, and the personal lives of people. These forces have the potential to alter the types of goods and services New Zealand has a comparative advantage in trading, and who we trade with.
Renters are running out of affordable places
It is one year since New Zealand’s initial Covid-19 lockdown, and the property market has confounded expectations since then. Even though rents are increasing in around 80% of New Zealand’s 67 territorial authorities, there remain a few places where rents have fallen in the wake of Covid-19.
Winter will still be tough for some destinations
The Trans-Tasman bubble will not be a silver bullet for every tourism destination over the winter months. Put simply – many kiwi destinations may struggle to attract Aussie travellers during the colder months, and instead will miss out on New Zealanders who head to warmer destinations across the ditch.
Where have rents risen and fallen?
A tight housing market has continued to put pressure on renters in many parts of the country at a time when incomes are squeezed. But the geographical distribution of rent increases has been uneven.
The regional impact of COVID-19: measurement practicalities
I was fortunate to speak at Economic Development New Zealand's national conference. I shared my experiences of assessing how COVID-19 is affecting local economies and what economic development professionals can do to help understand what is happening in their local area.
Where were the school holiday spending hotspots?
The school holidays are behind us. Parents may be sighing with relief their dear children are no longer running riot, but many of our visitor destinations are back on tenterhooks as they wait to see whether the initial sugar rush of domestic travel can be sustained.
Putting Tiwai’s closure in perspective for Southland
The looming closure of Tiwai is a devastating blow for Southland. I spoke with Stuff's Melanie Carroll to put the closure in perspective, against how the rest of Southland's economy is faring amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where has retail spending recovered the fastest?
The COVID-19 lockdown and border closures have hampered business earnings. This article assesses the effects these challenges have had on the retail sector across regional New Zealand and what’s in store for the coming months.
Queenstown’s surprising level of new business starts
I recently published a report that analyses emerging trends in business births and deaths in Queenstown immediately before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis will challenge the survival of many existing businesses, but the process of change will create opportunities for many new entrepreneurs.
First volley in domestic flight price war?
Jetstar is making a shrewd pitch for custom in the domestic market from people that are more price sensitive than they were in the relatively secure pre-Covid world. With people worrying more about their financial situations, there is arguably more scope for discount airlines to gain a bigger foothold than before.
Interview: Entrepreneurship under adversity
I was recently interviewed by Kerre McIvor on Newstalk ZB about entrepreneurship during lockdown. In the interview I discuss which industries new businesses were in, where they were located, and how these lockdown businesses will support the economic recovery.