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Alex Tarrant

About

Alex is interest.co.nz's political journalist based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington. He previously spent four years in London as a journalist and assistant editor at global financial newswire Mergermarket, which was part of the FT Group. Alex worked for interest.co.nz between 2008 and 2012, returning at the start of 2017.

Email Alex

Member for

15 years 5 months

Latest articles

Auckland housing supply to get worse before better
Auckland housing undersupply to get worse before better, economists say; Wellington residential construction jump welcomed
3rd Mar 17, 4:06pm
by Alex Tarrant
26
Auckland housing undersupply to get worse before better, economists say; Wellington residential construction jump welcomed
'Wellington staring down barrel of housing crisis'
Wellington is staring down the barrel of a housing crisis if Council does not move on reform of housing plan - Deputy Mayor Eagle
3rd Mar 17, 10:19am
by Alex Tarrant
34
Wellington is staring down the barrel of a housing crisis if Council does not move on reform of housing plan - Deputy Mayor Eagle
Mortgage rates to keep rising - NZIER
Mortgage rates to keep rising as OCR remains on hold, NZIER says; House prices may not fall far as population growth boosts demand and supply struggles to keep pace
2nd Mar 17, 4:10pm
by Alex Tarrant
2
Mortgage rates to keep rising as OCR remains on hold, NZIER says; House prices may not fall far as population growth boosts demand and supply struggles to keep pace
Labour touting Winston
Labour nominates Winston Peters to fill David Shearer's intelligence and security committee seat
2nd Mar 17, 10:24am
by Alex Tarrant
13
Labour nominates Winston Peters to fill David Shearer's intelligence and security committee seat
Labour to elect new deputy leader
Labour to elect new deputy leader after Annette King steps down; Andrew Little to nominate Jacinda Ardern
1st Mar 17, 9:50am
by Alex Tarrant
40
Labour to elect new deputy leader after Annette King steps down; Andrew Little to nominate Jacinda Ardern
'What has Bill been smoking?'
Labour hits back at PM English's comments that Kiwis are not applying for jobs due to drugs test requirements
28th Feb 17, 1:29pm
by Alex Tarrant
65
Labour hits back at PM English's comments that Kiwis are not applying for jobs due to drugs test requirements
Migration settings about right - English
Govt feels NZ migration settings are about right, PM English says, after figures show record net inflow; PM re-raises drug test hurdles for employment of locals
27th Feb 17, 6:03pm
by Alex Tarrant
135
Govt feels NZ migration settings are about right, PM English says, after figures show record net inflow; PM re-raises drug test hurdles for employment of locals
Want to fix Auckland housing? Then fix Australia's labour market
Auckland's housing market is not going to be getting any help from Australia's flat-lining labour market any time soon as net migration levels to NZ look set to stay high
26th Feb 17, 7:15am
by Alex Tarrant
89
Auckland's housing market is not going to be getting any help from Australia's flat-lining labour market any time soon as net migration levels to NZ look set to stay high
Where are NZ's session ales?
Beer-for-sale growth in NZ driven by high-strength, while low-strength falls and the session ale range is flat, after 7 years in the cellar
24th Feb 17, 11:48am
by Alex Tarrant
14
Beer-for-sale growth in NZ driven by high-strength, while low-strength falls and the session ale range is flat, after 7 years in the cellar
Govt takes aim at cleaner waterways
Govt aims to have 90% of rivers and waterways swimmable by 2040, Environment Minister Smith says; Farmers are ready for the challenge - Primary Industries Minister Guy
23rd Feb 17, 2:29pm
by Alex Tarrant
73
Govt aims to have 90% of rivers and waterways swimmable by 2040, Environment Minister Smith says; Farmers are ready for the challenge - Primary Industries Minister Guy
'House prices to fall 12% by 2020'
NZ house prices look set to fall 12% by 2020 as rates rise and population growth eases, Infometrics says
23rd Feb 17, 1:30pm
by Alex Tarrant
52
NZ house prices look set to fall 12% by 2020 as rates rise and population growth eases, Infometrics says
'Hopefully you're getting the message on house prices'
People hopefully getting the message on housing, Finance Minister Joyce says; Notes interest rates set to rise, Auckland house prices high and starting to fall; Some demand measures but supply the big issue
22nd Feb 17, 7:55am
by Alex Tarrant
140
People hopefully getting the message on housing, Finance Minister Joyce says; Notes interest rates set to rise, Auckland house prices high and starting to fall; Some demand measures but supply the big issue
The OECD is in town
OECD in town for 2017 economic review; Focus on medium-term fiscal risks; Finance Minister Joyce is ‘sure they’ll talk about housing’
21st Feb 17, 3:16pm
by Alex Tarrant
OECD in town for 2017 economic review; Focus on medium-term fiscal risks; Finance Minister Joyce is ‘sure they’ll talk about housing’
Govt social bond to target Ministry of Social Development struggle area
Govt launches first social bond after raising $1.5m from four investors, focused on getting South Aucklanders with medium-level mental health conditions back into work
21st Feb 17, 2:55pm
by Alex Tarrant
2
Govt launches first social bond after raising $1.5m from four investors, focused on getting South Aucklanders with medium-level mental health conditions back into work
Next RBNZ Governor pay-rise structure in focus
PM English says RBNZ, Super Fund, ACC Fund and Housing NZ CEOs' pay-rise regimes set to change following outcry over Super Fund CEO Adrian Orr's 36% raise
21st Feb 17, 7:27am
by Alex Tarrant
13
PM English says RBNZ, Super Fund, ACC Fund and Housing NZ CEOs' pay-rise regimes set to change following outcry over Super Fund CEO Adrian Orr's 36% raise
Govt & councils in 'gritty talks' on housing infrastructure
Govt and fast-growing councils are in 'gritty talks' over use of $1bn housing infrastructure fund, PM English says; 'Councils don't seem to have projects ready to go'
20th Feb 17, 4:23pm
by Alex Tarrant
16
Govt and fast-growing councils are in 'gritty talks' over use of $1bn housing infrastructure fund, PM English says; 'Councils don't seem to have projects ready to go'
A look at Labour's monetary policy suggestions
Labour's 'employment goal' for RBNZ monetary policy to remain open without specific nominal jobs target; Set to follow US example of not telling central bank which of price stability and employment goals to prioritise
20th Feb 17, 9:38am
by Alex Tarrant
21
Labour's 'employment goal' for RBNZ monetary policy to remain open without specific nominal jobs target; Set to follow US example of not telling central bank which of price stability and employment goals to prioritise
NZ 'a ship sailing towards distant reef'
NZ govt finances like ship sailing towards distant reef, Treasury deputy secretary says; Govt currently in very strong position; Risks include ageing population
17th Feb 17, 10:06am
by Alex Tarrant
10
NZ govt finances like ship sailing towards distant reef, Treasury deputy secretary says; Govt currently in very strong position; Risks include ageing population
Battle of the boom figures
Govt building boom claim fueled by 137% rise in building costs since 2004, Labour says; Twyford vs Smith in Parliament take-two
15th Feb 17, 3:55pm
by Alex Tarrant
15
Govt building boom claim fueled by 137% rise in building costs since 2004, Labour says; Twyford vs Smith in Parliament take-two
Battle of the housing figures
Smith, Twyford & Peters battle over housing figures as consents-to-builds rates, state house building and shortfall estimates are aired in Parliament
15th Feb 17, 6:29am
by Alex Tarrant
78
Smith, Twyford & Peters battle over housing figures as consents-to-builds rates, state house building and shortfall estimates are aired in Parliament
Govt eyes urban development authorities
Govt opens consultation on urban development authorities, Building and Construction Minister Smith announces
14th Feb 17, 3:40pm
by Alex Tarrant
14
Govt opens consultation on urban development authorities, Building and Construction Minister Smith announces
‘Better housing gap estimate tough without being Soviet’
Building and Construction Minister Smith says getting better estimates of NZ housing shortage is tough without becoming Soviet-style economy
14th Feb 17, 11:07am
by Alex Tarrant
39
Building and Construction Minister Smith says getting better estimates of NZ housing shortage is tough without becoming Soviet-style economy
Greens won't stand in Ohariu
Green Party won't stand candidate in Wellington's Ohariu electorate, in move giving Labour better chance to oust United Future's Peter Dunne
14th Feb 17, 9:34am
by Alex Tarrant
21
Green Party won't stand candidate in Wellington's Ohariu electorate, in move giving Labour better chance to oust United Future's Peter Dunne
PM welcomes Auckland unitary plan ruling
PM English welcomes Auckland unitary plan ruling; Eyes development on govt land in Mt Roskill, Avondale and South Auckland in addition to existing projects
13th Feb 17, 5:50pm
by Alex Tarrant
29
PM English welcomes Auckland unitary plan ruling; Eyes development on govt land in Mt Roskill, Avondale and South Auckland in addition to existing projects
DTIs & LVRs: MPs get quick tutorial
RBNZ Governor tells MPs sceptical about debt-to-income restrictions they could distort the housing market, which the government's tax policies already do
10th Feb 17, 9:32am
by Alex Tarrant
16
RBNZ Governor tells MPs sceptical about debt-to-income restrictions they could distort the housing market, which the government's tax policies already do