Michael Gordon

Economists say June quarter labour market data will paint a ‘soft picture’ of the NZ economy as the size of the Middle East ‘cost shock’ remains uncertain

Economists say June quarter labour market data will paint a ‘soft picture’ of the NZ economy as the size of the Middle East ‘cost shock’ remains uncertain

ANZ’s latest Business Outlook Survey shows business confidence is at ‘historically solid levels’, with businesses signaling renewed hiring and investment optimism

ANZ’s latest Business Outlook Survey shows business confidence is at ‘historically solid levels’, with businesses signaling renewed hiring and investment optimism

NZIER says QSBO shows the ‘fragile’ economic recovery in June quarter was helped by easing oil crisis, but warns that geopolitical uncertainty and November election will weigh on firms over the coming months

NZIER says QSBO shows the ‘fragile’ economic recovery in June quarter was helped by easing oil crisis, but warns that geopolitical uncertainty and November election will weigh on firms over the coming months

Following a split Official Cash Rate vote in May, UBS anticipates a more allied voting stance in the Reserve Bank’s July Monetary Policy Review. Westpac sees 2 hikes this year

Following a split Official Cash Rate vote in May, UBS anticipates a more allied voting stance in the Reserve Bank’s July Monetary Policy Review. Westpac sees 2 hikes this year

Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index reports lowest confidence reading since the survey began in 2004

Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index reports lowest confidence reading since the survey began in 2004

Economists expect March quarter GDP to top 1% with the effects of the Middle East conflict and global fuel crisis are likely to hit harder in GDP releases later this year

Economists expect March quarter GDP to top 1% with the effects of the Middle East conflict and global fuel crisis are likely to hit harder in GDP releases later this year

Improvements likely to show up in labour market data for March quarter, economists say, but it will be old news reflecting economic conditions before Middle East conflict began

Improvements likely to show up in labour market data for March quarter, economists say, but it will be old news reflecting economic conditions before Middle East conflict began

While GDP data shows economic growth, ‘it was still barely at a pace that would have halted the rise in unemployment or added to domestic inflation pressures,’ Westpac senior economist says

While GDP data shows economic growth, ‘it was still barely at a pace that would have halted the rise in unemployment or added to domestic inflation pressures,’ Westpac senior economist says

Economists are beginning to flirt with a revolutionary idea - that the New Zealand economy might be able to grow and prosper without the traditional leg-up from the housing market

Economists are beginning to flirt with a revolutionary idea - that the New Zealand economy might be able to grow and prosper without the traditional leg-up from the housing market

ASB economists stress the importance of studying 'high frequency' economic data at a time when our official GDP figures are both lagged and containing less reliable data than they did

ASB economists stress the importance of studying 'high frequency' economic data at a time when our official GDP figures are both lagged and containing less reliable data than they did

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

There was a slight drop in filled jobs in December - but a very sharp upward revision to November figures

There was a slight drop in filled jobs in December - but a very sharp upward revision to November figures

'Do we really think we are currently growing at the same pace as China and three times that of Australia?': BNZ's head of research says latest GDP result delivered 'more noise than signal', encourages scepticism

'Do we really think we are currently growing at the same pace as China and three times that of Australia?': BNZ's head of research says latest GDP result delivered 'more noise than signal', encourages scepticism

ANZ chief economist says the improvement in sentiment 'is rooted in an improvement in experienced activity, not just hope'

ANZ chief economist says the improvement in sentiment 'is rooted in an improvement in experienced activity, not just hope'