Mark Smith

Following May’s SPI figures, bank economists have revised their inflation projections for the June quarter and while the US-Iran deal is welcomed, it ‘doesn’t fully unwind the global oil supply shock’

Following May’s SPI figures, bank economists have revised their inflation projections for the June quarter and while the US-Iran deal is welcomed, it ‘doesn’t fully unwind the global oil supply shock’

A return to the 'broccoli' Budget, a 'glass half full view,' a 'small b Budget,' and more reaction to Budget 2026

A return to the 'broccoli' Budget, a 'glass half full view,' a 'small b Budget,' and more reaction to Budget 2026

Government tipped to 'largely stick to its fiscal knitting' in election year budget, but will there be any election sweeteners?

Government tipped to 'largely stick to its fiscal knitting' in election year budget, but will there be any election sweeteners?

After softer than expected April SPI figures, Westpac NZ economist says full impact of oil price rises yet to be felt through supply chain and a 'sharp rise' in inflation is still on the cards for the middle part of 2026

After softer than expected April SPI figures, Westpac NZ economist says full impact of oil price rises yet to be felt through supply chain and a 'sharp rise' in inflation is still on the cards for the middle part of 2026

Inflation expectations rise in RBNZ survey for the short and medium terms, dip in longer-term expectations

Inflation expectations rise in RBNZ survey for the short and medium terms, dip in longer-term expectations

Don't expect the March quarter to show much price pressure, economists say as some suggest annual inflation will soften slightly before it accelerates in the June quarter

Don't expect the March quarter to show much price pressure, economists say as some suggest annual inflation will soften slightly before it accelerates in the June quarter

RBNZ chief economist Paul Conway says future path for the OCR is conditional on how the economy evolves as some bank economists bring their forecasts for increases forward

RBNZ chief economist Paul Conway says future path for the OCR is conditional on how the economy evolves as some bank economists bring their forecasts for increases forward

'Whatever your point of comparison it seems the worst-case scenario could be a lot worse than Treasury envisages,' BNZ head of research says, as projections see inflation hitting 3.8% and in some cases, pushing past 4%

'Whatever your point of comparison it seems the worst-case scenario could be a lot worse than Treasury envisages,' BNZ head of research says, as projections see inflation hitting 3.8% and in some cases, pushing past 4%

Governor Anna Breman says Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee isn’t planning on hiking the Official Cash Rate ‘until we see more inflationary pressures and a stronger economy’

Governor Anna Breman says Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee isn’t planning on hiking the Official Cash Rate ‘until we see more inflationary pressures and a stronger economy’

Positive indicators in labour market details, but Kiwibank economists say we need to see 'the labour market really turn, not just stabilise, to have confidence in the recovery'

Positive indicators in labour market details, but Kiwibank economists say we need to see 'the labour market really turn, not just stabilise, to have confidence in the recovery'

Labour market figures to be released in the coming week will likely show an improving picture overall for employment, but that might not yet be enough to see the unemployment rate drop from the nearly nine-year high it hit in September

Labour market figures to be released in the coming week will likely show an improving picture overall for employment, but that might not yet be enough to see the unemployment rate drop from the nearly nine-year high it hit in September

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

December quarter Consumers Price Index figures may show our inflation rate once again above the 1% to 3% target range. How new RBNZ Governor Anna Breman will respond to our stubborn high prices in her first OCR review next month will be keenly watched

December quarter Consumers Price Index figures may show our inflation rate once again above the 1% to 3% target range. How new RBNZ Governor Anna Breman will respond to our stubborn high prices in her first OCR review next month will be keenly watched

ASB economist warns CPI inflation may have ended 2025 above 3% as food prices rise and strong electricity and gas price rises continue, according to Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes

ASB economist warns CPI inflation may have ended 2025 above 3% as food prices rise and strong electricity and gas price rises continue, according to Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes

Nicola Willis 'won't overreact' to forecast fiscal changes as ANZ economists say ‘substantial policy change’ is needed to tackle the likes of ageing population costs

Nicola Willis 'won't overreact' to forecast fiscal changes as ANZ economists say ‘substantial policy change’ is needed to tackle the likes of ageing population costs