No bias in pump price movements up or down - NZIER Insight 29
September 15, 2011
Petrol prices have been rising in recent weeks. It may feel like petrol prices at the pump move up faster and further than they fall, but we find there is no empirical evidence to support this. Prices fall as quick and as far as they rise when crude oil prices change. Read more
Flowing on from the NPS - NZIER Insight 28
July 22, 2011
The National Policy Statement (NPS) on Freshwater Management is a good first step, but it may leave local authorities in the dark about how to meet its intent. Read more
Is Working for Families working for families? NZIER Insight 27
April 1, 2011
Working for Families (WFF) was introduced between 2004 and 2007 to "make work pay" and ensure income adequacy for families with children. The policy has reduced child poverty, drawn an extra 8,100 sole parents into some paid work, encouraged more of them to work 20 hours or more, and … Read more
Reprioritising infrastructure projects - NZIER Insight 26
March 8, 2011
The cost of Christchurch's devastating earthquakes means that the Government's prior promises to undertake specific infrastructure projects now have to be reviewed. As the Finance Ministers signalled, funding Christchurch's recovery will prompt 'a fairly hard look at our capital inves … Read more
90-day trial periods appear successful - NZIER Insight 25
February 2, 2011
The Government has recently announced that it will be extending the policy regarding 90-day trial periods for new workers to all employers, not just those with fewer than 20 employees. NZIER’s preliminary analysis suggests that this extension is likely have a positive impact on employ … Read more
Getting real on a tax-free threshold - NZIER Insight 24
January 28, 2011
Labour's proposed tax-free threshold for the first $5,000 of wages and removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables will cost around $1.7 billion in the first year. This is to be funded by raising the top tax rate for high income earners. From an economic perspective, these proposals … Read more
High food prices will harm the New Zealand economy - NZIER Insight 23
January 27, 2011
Booming foreign demand and adverse weather conditions have led to a significant increase in global food prices. In this Insight, NZIER models the impacts of high food prices on New Zealand and finds that it's not good news for Kiwis. The article also discusses policy implications as w … Read more
Top 10 tunes suggest slow beat for economy into 2011 - NZIER Insight 22
December 24, 2010
The bands fighting it out for the coveted Christmas No.1 are in tune with the latest forecasts for the economy When we have less money to spend, we not only buy less music, but it seems we also buy different types of music. A recent study of pop music preferences over the past 501 yea … Read more
New Zealand-Russia FTA : Another BRIIC in the wall - NZIER Insight 21
November 16, 2010
The Prime Minister and Trade Minister have announced that New Zealand will be entering free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (RBK) with the aim of concluding talks in 2012. NZIER modelling indicates the FTA will deliver gains of around $27 million … Read more
Flight of the Kiwi : Kiwis fly to Australia in search of a better nest - NZIER Insight 20
November 3, 2010
The continuous flow of Kiwis to Australia is closely linked to Australia’s economic performance. The big difference in income between Australia and New Zealand is likely to be a major factor. Life style factors and incomes in New Zealand are still appealing enough to attract a healthy … Read more