PREFU: Short term looks better but recovery to take longer

PREFU: Short term looks better but recovery to take longer
Rebecca Howard
The immediate covid-19 hit to New Zealand’s economy isn’t as harsh as expected but the recovery is now expected to be a longer slog.“The near-term outlook is less negative; however, we have revised down our forecasts for long-term growth,” said Caralee McLiesh, secretary to the Treasury, at the release of the pre-election fiscal and economy update.   However, nothing is certain. The update includes a central forecast and three other possible scenarios and “even these three scenarios do not cover the range...

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Manufacturing activity has contracted for 22 consecutive months
Economy

Manufacturing activity has contracted for 22 consecutive months

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector contracted in December, marking the first time in the survey’s history that all 12 months were in contraction. The seasonally adjusted Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) for December was 45.9, up from 45.2 in November but still well below...

Rebecca Howard 17 Jan 2025
Bank economists expect OCR rises in 2026
Economy

Bank economists expect OCR rises in 2026

‘A number closer to four takes the cash rate to neutral,’ says BNZ's Stephen Toplis. 

Gregor Thompson 17 Jan 2025
Westpac records soft December retail spending
Economy

Westpac records soft December retail spending

Despite a slight lift, Westpac data points to a soft end of year for household spending.Westpac’s retail tracker, released on Thursday, showed spending on Westpac-issued credit and debit cards was up 2% in December compared to last year.  Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod...

Staff reporters 16 Jan 2025
Price shakeup for cigarette brand
Retail

Price shakeup for cigarette brand

Cigarette prices typically go up each year. Not in this case.

Oliver Lewis 16 Jan 2025