NZIER data: business confidence falls off a cliff

NZIER data: business confidence falls off a cliff
Christina Leung, principal economist for the NZ Institute of Economic Research. (Image: NZME)
Rebecca Howard
Business confidence tanked to its weakest level since 1970 in the December quarter after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's more hawkish monetary policy statement (MPS) in November.  “In this MPS, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand indicated it would take interest rates higher than initially expected to rein in inflation,” said Christina Leung, principal economist for the NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER).The Reserve Bank lifted rates by an unprecedented 75 basis points to 4.25% last November and its projections pointed...

More Economy

Jones looking at gas rationing
Economy

Jones looking at gas rationing

“The wholesale hollowing out of the regional manufacturing sector.” 

Ian Llewellyn 11 Aug 2025
Treasury says covid spending overcooked
Economy

Treasury says covid spending overcooked

A new Treasury paper has criticised the last Government for overspending during the pandemic, leaving the country with a high level of public debt that makes it vulnerable to future shocks.The paper calculated the total cost of the pandemic at about $66 billion. It put the total...

Staff reporters 07 Aug 2025
Bridges: Interest rates not enough
Economy

Bridges: Interest rates not enough

The former National Party leader says the economy needs a ‘defibrillator’.

Dileepa Fonseka 07 Aug 2025
Capital gains tax to solve house-price affordability crisis?
Finance

Capital gains tax to solve house-price affordability crisis?

ANZ's Richard Yetsenga said house-price affordability is a significant challenge. 

Staff reporters 07 Aug 2025