Regions grapple with slowdown as budget decisions loom

Regions grapple with slowdown as budget decisions loom
The economy was bolstered by a bump in international tourism during the Lunar New Year. (Image: Getty)
Jem Traylen
As New Zealand grapples with its slowest economic growth since the initial covid-19 lockdown, Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says regional disparities are becoming increasingly pronounced.Olsen highlighted the economic difficulties in Infometrics' Quarterly Economic Monitor released on Thursday morning, noting that economic activity in the first quarter of 2024 was only 0.3% per annum higher than at the same point in 2023, with year-end growth slowing to 0.2%.The report said this slowdown was particularly impactful in...

More Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope
Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s (NZIER) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a continued deterioration in business confidence in the second quarter.A net 35% of firms expected a deterioration in the general economic outlook over the coming months on a seaso...

Staff reporters 02 Jul 2024
Independent costings needed for tough political decisions
Economy

Independent costings needed for tough political decisions

The time is now for an Independent Fiscal Institution.

Cameron Bagrie 01 Jul 2024
Brave-faced craft chocolate industry finds strength in unity
Retail

Brave-faced craft chocolate industry finds strength in unity

More than 30 boutique chocolate companies raised the bar at Chocstock.

Gregor Thompson 01 Jul 2024
Medicine working but business confidence continues to fall
Finance

Medicine working but business confidence continues to fall

Confidence in retail and construction rose, while other sectors were more downbeat.

Tom Raynel 27 Jun 2024