Half-year economic, fiscal update due Dec. 16

Half-year economic, fiscal update due Dec. 16
Staff reporters
New Zealand recorded an operating deficit before gains and losses of $23 billion in the year ended June 30 as covid-19 hit the economy.The result, in contrast to the $7.4 billion surplus reported in the same period a year earlier, was still $5.2 billion better than the Treasury had forecast in budget 2020 “due to a stronger-than expected economy and careful management of government spending,” Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. Secretary to the Treasury Caralee McLiesh agreed. “Our economy has proven more resilient tha...