Doug Steel

The services sector again contracted slightly in the last month and is 'a long way from being back to full health'

The services sector again contracted slightly in the last month and is 'a long way from being back to full health'

Stats NZ says retail card spending fell 0.8% last month, while separate data showed the services sector remained in contractionary mode

Stats NZ says retail card spending fell 0.8% last month, while separate data showed the services sector remained in contractionary mode

The services sector expanded slightly in January, as did the manufacturing sector - results that point toward an economic recovery later in the year

The services sector expanded slightly in January, as did the manufacturing sector - results that point toward an economic recovery later in the year

Consumer prices rose 2.2% in 2024 as high interest rates slowed economic activity and falling import costs eased inflation pressures in New Zealand

Consumer prices rose 2.2% in 2024 as high interest rates slowed economic activity and falling import costs eased inflation pressures in New Zealand

Activity in NZ's services sector contracted further in December, matching a more contractionary performance in the month from the manufacturing sector as well

Activity in NZ's services sector contracted further in December, matching a more contractionary performance in the month from the manufacturing sector as well

Activity in NZ's services sector has improved, but still remains at contractionary levels, while manufacturing has moved further into contraction

Activity in NZ's services sector has improved, but still remains at contractionary levels, while manufacturing has moved further into contraction

Following another strong dairy auction, Westpac economists now have the highest milk price forecast; ASB economists have also raised their forecast as a record payout for this season looks ever more likely

Following another strong dairy auction, Westpac economists now have the highest milk price forecast; ASB economists have also raised their forecast as a record payout for this season looks ever more likely

Activity levels in New Zealand's economic engine room remain at contractionary levels

Activity levels in New Zealand's economic engine room remain at contractionary levels

BNZ economists raise their forecast farmgate milk price to $9.75 on the back of buoyant global prices and a dip in the value of the NZ dollar

BNZ economists raise their forecast farmgate milk price to $9.75 on the back of buoyant global prices and a dip in the value of the NZ dollar

BNZ economists look back at some of the reasons why the Reserve Bank made big OCR cuts in the past, finding such reasons don't currently exist

BNZ economists look back at some of the reasons why the Reserve Bank made big OCR cuts in the past, finding such reasons don't currently exist

Activity in New Zealand’s services sector 'inched its way higher' during August

Activity in New Zealand’s services sector 'inched its way higher' during August

While service sector activity recovered a little last month from the 'horrendous' June results, the Performance of Services Index is still below the levels seen during the Global Financial Crisis

While service sector activity recovered a little last month from the 'horrendous' June results, the Performance of Services Index is still below the levels seen during the Global Financial Crisis

The drop in the annual inflation rate to 3.3% sees economists adopt a near-consensus view that the Reserve Bank will begin interest rate cuts in November. But an earlier start is seen as possible

The drop in the annual inflation rate to 3.3% sees economists adopt a near-consensus view that the Reserve Bank will begin interest rate cuts in November. But an earlier start is seen as possible

Activity in the service sector has dropped sharply again in June to once again be at the lowest level in 17 years apart from during lockdowns

Activity in the service sector has dropped sharply again in June to once again be at the lowest level in 17 years apart from during lockdowns

Economy flatlines for sixth quarter as sharp construction slowdown is partly offset by record kiwifruit harvest

Economy flatlines for sixth quarter as sharp construction slowdown is partly offset by record kiwifruit harvest