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

Cuts done, RBNZ hike watch begins
Economy

Cuts done, RBNZ hike watch begins

Kiwi dollar gains after RBNZ, could head toward 58 US cents. 

How to Be Wrong: summer reading for the PM
Economy

How to Be Wrong: summer reading for the PM

Advice on leading for innovation, threats to democracy, gangs, and more.

Pattrick Smellie 28 Nov 2025
RBNZ officials not against more transparency, just cautious
Economy

RBNZ officials not against more transparency, just cautious

The key is that any changes add value, says Assistant Governor Karen Silk.

Rebecca Howard 28 Nov 2025
‘Looking up’: Recovery taking hold as business confidence hits 11-year high
Economy

‘Looking up’: Recovery taking hold as business confidence hits 11-year high

Business confidence jumped another nine points from 58 to 67 in November, the highest level in 11 years, the ANZ Business Outlook survey for November shows.“Things are looking up!” said ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner.“Out of a hole, admittedly,” she added.When interpreting qu...

Staff reporters 27 Nov 2025