Economy
Singapore and New Zealand have much the same population – a bit over five million people. They are both affluent economies. Singapore is more affluent than New Zealand although there are reasons to believe the data exaggerates the differences. Because of their resource base and location they have rather different economic structures. Yet the two small economies work together in the international political economy.
Read MoreWhile the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.
Read MoreA close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.
Read MoreDespite the headlines, things are not much worse than at the time of the 2023 budget, but fiscal management is always difficult.
Read MorePublic policy frequently suffers because we don’t look at alternatives.
Read MoreEvergrande and Country Garden – two giant Chinese property development companies – are a portent of the turbulence before us.
Read MoreBanning mobile phones in schools points to wider issues.
Read MoreThe recent reduction in the US credit rating signals that market lenders are not happy with the US fiscal arrangements. New Zealand’s lower rating is a warning that we could do better too.
Read MoreIt is the professionalism – competence and integrity – of the doctors, nurses and technicians who provide the care which obscures the managerial failure.
Read MoreIt is too easy to react to a problem rather than to tackle it thoughtfully.
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The Chatham Islands flag waves above the New Zealand one. Perhaps the Chathams offer insights on to how to govern New Zealand better.
Read MoreIts principles may involve outcomes which are not in the public interest.
Read MoreAre we evaluating the economy on the right criteria? Perhaps we should be paying more attention to rising overseas debt.
Read MoreWe have it around the wrong way. The issue is not what the arts contribute to market output. It is what market output contributes to the arts – and a lot more besides.
Read MoreWhy doesn’t our government reflect New Zealanders; why doesn’t Parliament make them?
Read MoreWas another IT debacle inevitable given the management arrangements?
Read MoreSteven Levitt, famous for his Freakanomics, shows that being an economist is not just mouthing supply and demand.
Read MoreThe Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months?
Read MoreA conversation discussion between a minister and advisor.
Read MoreThe May 4 issue of the London “Economist” headlined that ‘Governments are living in a fiscal fantasyland’. It focussed on the four biggest economies – the US, China, EU and Japan – although many smaller ones would also illustrate its proposition, that each was losing control of its fiscal position with rising government debt.
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