Remember the reasons for RBNZ independence

Remember the reasons for RBNZ independence
Gareth Kiernan
Those people calling for an end to the Reserve Bank’s independence must have forgotten, or be too young to remember, the bad old days when monetary policy was little more than an enabler for fiscal pump-priming. Things came to a head during the 1970s and 1980s, when Robert Muldoon’s dual role as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance led to dubious economic policies.Having concluded that “most people wouldn’t recognise a budget deficit if they fell over it,” Muldoon was happy to announce significant govern...

More Economy

Business confidence nixes July RBNZ cut
Economy

Business confidence nixes July RBNZ cut

Economists say July is a pause, not the end point.

Rebecca Howard 02 Jul 2025
Monthly CPI tech takes Stats NZ into the future
Economy

Monthly CPI tech takes Stats NZ into the future

Budget funding for new inflation-reporting tech is a giant leap forward, agency says.

Maria Slade 27 Jun 2025
Corporates think NZ 's on the up: Forsyth Barr
Primary Sector

Corporates think NZ 's on the up: Forsyth Barr

The Pulse of NZ Business survey found construction and retail continue to lag.

Gregor Thompson 25 Jun 2025