The waning of economic and political confidence

The waning of economic and political confidence
Consumer confidence is back down to levels last seen during the first covid-19 lockdown. (Image: Getty)
Andy Fyers
Overall confidence in the economy and the direction of the country is lower now than it has been at any time since the very beginning of the pandemic.That's despite New Zealand avoiding the worst of covid seen elsewhere in the world and avoiding dire early economic predictions about high unemployment and falling house prices that didn't happen.The high point for overall economic and political sentiment came at the end of 2020. Covid had twice been eliminated from the community, interest rates were at record lows – and predict...

More Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs
Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

No respite for the NZ dollar
Economy

No respite for the NZ dollar

Easing trade tensions isn’t helping the NZ dollar. 

Rebecca Howard 22 Oct 2025
RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Andy Macdonald 21 Oct 2025