West Island beckons when border reopens

West Island beckons when border reopens
Economists fear net migration could turn negative (Image: Unsplash)
Rebecca Howard
Lower Hutt’s Avalon Film and Television Studios is hanging out for the borders to reopen but the lure of higher wages across the ditch may throw a spanner in the works for desperate employers looking for staff. “Opening borders will help take pressure off our region when large international projects come to Wellington and, more importantly, allow international producers and key people to re-enter the country without too onerous MIQ requirements hopefully,” said Avalon chief executive Gary Watkins. It may not solve th...

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