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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 6 months

Latest articles

Fed Farmers quiz Goff on Labour policies
Alex's Election diary: Labour Party leader Phil Goff addresses Federated Farmers; A look at Labour's policies which would affect the farming sector
17th Nov 11, 9:45am
by Alex Tarrant
33
Alex's Election diary: Labour Party leader Phil Goff addresses Federated Farmers; A look at Labour's policies which would affect the farming sector
Pharmac fundamentals not on table
Pharmac fundamentals not on TPP table, Trade Minister Groser says; "Our public health system is not up for negotiation"
16th Nov 11, 2:38pm
by Alex Tarrant
7
Pharmac fundamentals not on TPP table, Trade Minister Groser says; "Our public health system is not up for negotiation"
Asia focus for National's trade policy
National's trade policy focuses on China, India, South-East Asia; Will boost 'NZ Inc' Strategy, PM Key says
16th Nov 11, 10:57am
by Alex Tarrant
13
National's trade policy focuses on China, India, South-East Asia; Will boost 'NZ Inc' Strategy, PM Key says
Election diary: Did Key storm off?
Alex's election diary: Of binge drinking culture and savings plans: Unfortunate advertising placements
16th Nov 11, 9:48am
by Alex Tarrant
112
Alex's election diary: Of binge drinking culture and savings plans: Unfortunate advertising placements
Nats eye welfare fraud, drug takers
National releases final welfare policy in run up to Nov 26 election, focuses on welfare fraud in bid to save NZ$200 mln over four years
15th Nov 11, 2:26pm
by Alex Tarrant
45
National releases final welfare policy in run up to Nov 26 election, focuses on welfare fraud in bid to save NZ$200 mln over four years
Nats' 120 point plan for the economy
Nats eye nationally-significant roads, science awards & oil exploration in 120 point development package of completed, current and new policies
14th Nov 11, 3:56pm
by Alex Tarrant
12
Nats eye nationally-significant roads, science awards & oil exploration in 120 point development package of completed, current and new policies
Key wants better US FTA than Australia
PM Key says NZ drug-buyer Pharmac may not be changed under Trans Pacific Partnership talks, but fine details still yet to be sorted
14th Nov 11, 8:18am
by Alex Tarrant
4
PM Key says NZ drug-buyer Pharmac may not be changed under Trans Pacific Partnership talks, but fine details still yet to be sorted
Spring property lift muted, REINZ says
REINZ says expected spring lift in property market "muted"; Oct sales down 4% from Sept, but up 28% from yr ago; Median price up 2.6% to NZ$359K
11th Nov 11, 12:33pm
by Alex Tarrant
12
REINZ says expected spring lift in property market "muted"; Oct sales down 4% from Sept, but up 28% from yr ago; Median price up 2.6% to NZ$359K
Election diary: Key gives Banks a tick
Election diary: PM John Key to have 'catch up' with ACT's John Banks in Epsom, signalling to Goldsmith voters to change to Banks. MMP in action? Your view?
11th Nov 11, 9:08am
by Alex Tarrant
32
Election diary: PM John Key to have 'catch up' with ACT's John Banks in Epsom, signalling to Goldsmith voters to change to Banks. MMP in action? Your view?
Sharp NZ$ fall more likely, RBNZ says
RBNZ sees likelihood of sharp fall in NZ dollar more likely as global conditions worsens and carry trade becomes less attractive
10th Nov 11, 9:16am
by Alex Tarrant
11
RBNZ sees likelihood of sharp fall in NZ dollar more likely as global conditions worsens and carry trade becomes less attractive
RBNZ calls for fiscal restraint
Reserve Bank says NZ credit rating downgrades reinforce need for govt fiscal consolidation; Supports bid for surplus
10th Nov 11, 9:09am
by Alex Tarrant
20
Reserve Bank says NZ credit rating downgrades reinforce need for govt fiscal consolidation; Supports bid for surplus
Another NZ$400m from SOE sale cash
National announces NZ$400 mln irrigation investment to come from SOE share sale cash; Brings total spending from sale fund to NZ$1.5 bln
9th Nov 11, 4:16pm
by Alex Tarrant
39
National announces NZ$400 mln irrigation investment to come from SOE share sale cash; Brings total spending from sale fund to NZ$1.5 bln
National to slow ETS introduction
National would phase in ETS obligations for transport, electricity, industrial sectors; Will review Agriculture in 2014, will only put it in if technology to help is there
9th Nov 11, 12:25pm
by Alex Tarrant
7
National would phase in ETS obligations for transport, electricity, industrial sectors; Will review Agriculture in 2014, will only put it in if technology to help is there
'Stats NZ spun stats for Nats'
Labour accuses Stats NZ of spinning building consent numbers during election campaign; But doesn't understand how to read the figures itself
9th Nov 11, 8:27am
by Alex Tarrant
29
Labour accuses Stats NZ of spinning building consent numbers during election campaign; But doesn't understand how to read the figures itself
Goff attacks Key's economic record
Labour leader Goff hits out at PM Key's handling of the economy; says things already bad before earthquakes, won't accept excuses
8th Nov 11, 1:28pm
by Alex Tarrant
48
Labour leader Goff hits out at PM Key's handling of the economy; says things already bad before earthquakes, won't accept excuses
Amazing how critical Labour is of Labour
Opinion: It's amazing how critical Labour is of its old policy in its Working for Families extension to beneficiaries; And it supports National's tax changes too
8th Nov 11, 10:22am
by Alex Tarrant
47
Opinion: It's amazing how critical Labour is of its old policy in its Working for Families extension to beneficiaries; And it supports National's tax changes too
Key not ruling out further property tax
PM John Key not ruling out further tax changes which might affect property market, but says comfortable with current system
8th Nov 11, 8:50am
by Alex Tarrant
10
PM John Key not ruling out further tax changes which might affect property market, but says comfortable with current system
Labour to borrow NZ$4 bln more than National
Labour says it will get NZ$497 mln surplus in 2014/15; Extra borrowing would peak at NZ$4 bln in 2016/17; Alters PREFU to show net debt to zero in 2022
4th Nov 11, 1:00pm
by Alex Tarrant
44
Labour says it will get NZ$497 mln surplus in 2014/15; Extra borrowing would peak at NZ$4 bln in 2016/17; Alters PREFU to show net debt to zero in 2022
Add Greens to Labour's spending
Opinion: Alex Tarrant on why we need to keep an eye on the Green Party's spending promises as well as Labour's (clue: it's due to MMP)
4th Nov 11, 10:26am
by Alex Tarrant
44
Opinion: Alex Tarrant on why we need to keep an eye on the Green Party's spending promises as well as Labour's (clue: it's due to MMP)
Nats start spending budget funds
PM Key announces NZ$150 mln investment in 'advanced technology institute' over 5 yrs; To be paid for with Budget allowance; SOE sale cash used too
3rd Nov 11, 12:30pm
by Alex Tarrant
17
PM Key announces NZ$150 mln investment in 'advanced technology institute' over 5 yrs; To be paid for with Budget allowance; SOE sale cash used too
Unemployment rate rises to 6.6%
NZ unemployment rate rises from 6.5% in June to 6.6% in Sept qtr vs 6.4% expected, although more people in jobs, Stats NZ says
3rd Nov 11, 10:50am
by Alex Tarrant
44
NZ unemployment rate rises from 6.5% in June to 6.6% in Sept qtr vs 6.4% expected, although more people in jobs, Stats NZ says
Alex's election diary: Waiting for Godot
Key goads Goff to "show me the money"; in debate over Labour's costings; National says Labour would borrow NZ$17 bln more over 4 yrs
3rd Nov 11, 8:44am
by Alex Tarrant
36
Key goads Goff to "show me the money"; in debate over Labour's costings; National says Labour would borrow NZ$17 bln more over 4 yrs
Labour wants EQC levies paid via rates
Labour to make all homeowners pay EQC levies through rates, not private insurance levy; Will raise EQC cover above NZ$100,000
2nd Nov 11, 12:24pm
by Alex Tarrant
33
Labour to make all homeowners pay EQC levies through rates, not private insurance levy; Will raise EQC cover above NZ$100,000
National eyes faster consents
National to put six-month time-limit on resource consents for 'medium-sized' projects like new subdivisions, PM Key says
2nd Nov 11, 12:07pm
by Alex Tarrant
15
National to put six-month time-limit on resource consents for 'medium-sized' projects like new subdivisions, PM Key says
National wants 46,000 off welfare
National announces welfare policy, says will get 46,000 off welfare over four years at cost of NZ$130 mln a year
1st Nov 11, 2:29pm
by Alex Tarrant
45
National announces welfare policy, says will get 46,000 off welfare over four years at cost of NZ$130 mln a year