The outlook does not look that promising.
Read MoreWhat is the Medium-Term Future for the New Zealand Economy?
Economy
Will We Be Thinking Big Again Soon?
Perhaps we are reaching the stage of the 1870s, the 1930s and the 1970s of growing unease about the state of the New Zealand economy. It is not stagnating, but it is not obviously going anywhere either. Will we have another ‘Think Big’ and if so, what will be the balance between the private and public involvement?
Read MoreAre Shareholders Or Managers in Charge of A Firm?
‘Dark Towers’, a book on Deutsche Bank, throws light on a long running economic dispute.
Read MoreWhere is the Economy Going?
Budget 2022: What does Treasury think is happening to the economy whose evolution underpins the budget policies?
Read MoreImproving Taxing Income
The informed discussion on the next steps in tax policy is about improving the income tax base, not about taxing wealth directly.
Read MoreNew Rules for Government Budget Management
While the new fiscal rules may not be contentious, what they mean for macroeconomic management is not explained.
Read MoreDo We Have a Population Policy?
Population growth has some effect on economic growth, but it is complicated especially where infrastructure is involved. We need to think more about it.
Read MoreWhat is Really Causing the Sharp Price Rises
Reductions in effective productivity, largely as a result of events overseas, require reductions in real incomes. Ignore that and you cannot defeat inflation.
Read MoreThe Economic Costs of Warfare
We do not go to war for free; we need to factor its economic costs and its consequences into public discussions.
Read MoreThe Ambiguity of Labels
Simon Bridges’ memoir, ‘National Identity: Confessions of an Outsider’, illustrates that humans are more complicated than the categories we put them into.
Read MoreWhy Do We Ignore Economics in Public Policy and History?
History books and policy changes such as for Three Waters and the media merger warn us ignoring economics is dangerous.
Read MoreWhat About Inflation?
Claims that our current inflation is due to government spending are nonsensical. There is a mantra which goes: if the economy is expanding, cut back public spending; if the economy is contracting, cut back public spending; if the economy is inflating, cut back public spending; if the economy is deflating, cut back public spending. Recognise a pattern?
Read MoreHow Economically Honest Are We?
One side says we should cut taxes but does not mention the implications for public spending; the other says we should increase public spending, but does not mention the implication for taxes.
Read MoreWarfare in an Integrated World.
What do economic events since the Russian invasion of Ukraine tell us about globalisation?
Read MoreDo Economists Know the Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing?
They can justly reply that at least they know the difference. It matters a lot for those involved in the housing and investment markets.
Read MoreAre We Becoming Little New Zealanders/Aotearoans?
Terrified of being unable to cope with the world they look inward. The National Library seems to join them.
Read MoreIs the Executive Accountable Enough?
Should the Children’s Commissioner be an officer of parliament?
Read MoreHow Viable is the New Zealand Economy in the Long Run?
A Projection Suggests that in 2050 New Zealand will be a very different place.
Read MoreWhat Does the Government Think About Economic Inequality?
The ‘Budget Policy Statement’ may reveal what the government really thinks.
Read MoreShould We Take Economists’ Predictions Seriously?
There are quality economic forecasts and there are entertaining ones.
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