Degrowth is not glamorous

Degrowth is not glamorous
Rural France has been experiencing depopulation for many years. (Image: Florian Olivo/Unsplash)
Dileepa Fonseka
Within the political lexicon, 'degrowth' sometimes seems like something glamorous, like living in the French countryside, but both aren't the positive life experiences you might imagine.Degrowth is the concept of shrinking the economy to achieve a better ecological and economic balance. It sounds great until it actually happens.New Zealand demographer Paul Spoonley has been thinking about the former and living out the latter in a French village he has made regular visits to since 1992.“There is only one house that is now occup...

More Economy

Co-operative Bank remediates thousands of customers
Economy

Co-operative Bank remediates thousands of customers

Co-operative Bank has remediated a total of $7.2 million across almost 50,000 customers for charging higher fees than it should have and may yet have to pay a court-imposed fine.The Commerce Commission said the charging of higher fees breaches the Credit Contracts and Consumer Fi...

Kiwi Property Group's interim profit lower as write-downs bite
Economy

Kiwi Property Group's interim profit lower as write-downs bite

The property company reiterates its full-year dividend views.

Andy Macdonald 24 Nov 2025
Penk announces compulsory building warranties
Economy

Penk announces compulsory building warranties

Under the proposed change, those responsible pay their share only.

Staff reporters 24 Nov 2025
Westpac tips ‘Turneresque’ 25bp cut but says RBNZ could still channel McCullum
Economy

Westpac tips ‘Turneresque’ 25bp cut but says RBNZ could still channel McCullum

Westpac Bank is sticking to its view the central bank will cut rates by 25 basis points next week to 2.25% but says there’s a 25% chance it will opt to be more aggressive and cut by 50bps.The key question is whether the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee thinks it will...

Rebecca Howard 19 Nov 2025