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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

'Any CGT should be on all homes' - Key
PM Key says proper capital gains tax policy should apply to all houses, including family home, for desired effect on property market
11th Jul 11, 8:28am
by Alex Tarrant
41
PM Key says proper capital gains tax policy should apply to all houses, including family home, for desired effect on property market
Alex's politico-economic blogroll
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: Blogoshere targets the good, the bad and the ugly of Labour's CGT plan; Blogging like drug dealing; How our economics depts rank; Cartoons
8th Jul 11, 4:09pm
by Alex Tarrant
12
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: Blogoshere targets the good, the bad and the ugly of Labour's CGT plan; Blogging like drug dealing; How our economics depts rank; Cartoons
CERA asks how to fix Christchurch
CERA asks public for ideas on how to repair Canterbury from quakes for recovery strategy due end of 2011
8th Jul 11, 2:12pm
by Alex Tarrant
3
CERA asks public for ideas on how to repair Canterbury from quakes for recovery strategy due end of 2011
Greens' cap gains tax crusade continues
Green Party ups crusade for capital gains tax, points to Treasury/IRD figures showing millionaires benefit most from status quo
8th Jul 11, 1:06pm
by Alex Tarrant
37
Green Party ups crusade for capital gains tax, points to Treasury/IRD figures showing millionaires benefit most from status quo
Nathans Finance directors guilty
Three Nathans Finance Directors found guilty under Securities Act for misleading comments in prospectus; FMA welcomes decision
8th Jul 11, 12:48pm
by Alex Tarrant
12
Three Nathans Finance Directors found guilty under Securities Act for misleading comments in prospectus; FMA welcomes decision
Banks on board for leaky homes - Govt
Labour says govt leaky homes bill unfair, will ask for owners of leaky apartments to be included in move that would cost taxpayer more
7th Jul 11, 12:20pm
by Alex Tarrant
5
Labour says govt leaky homes bill unfair, will ask for owners of leaky apartments to be included in move that would cost taxpayer more
'Still room for changes to tax mix'
Still room for changes to tax mix to disincentivise property investment bias, TWG chair says; Asset bubble notion a 'completely different argument'
7th Jul 11, 11:02am
by Alex Tarrant
16
Still room for changes to tax mix to disincentivise property investment bias, TWG chair says; Asset bubble notion a 'completely different argument'
Labour CGT to go on farms too
Labour's capital gains tax will also cover business sales, shares and other assets; Won't be retrospective - Radio NZ
7th Jul 11, 7:39am
by Alex Tarrant
177
Labour's capital gains tax will also cover business sales, shares and other assets; Won't be retrospective - Radio NZ
Labour's tax take to be similar in short-term
Govt's net tax take will remain similar in short-term under new Labour package, but may rise over medium term as rejig kicks in
6th Jul 11, 5:31pm
by Alex Tarrant
11
Govt's net tax take will remain similar in short-term under new Labour package, but may rise over medium term as rejig kicks in
Stats NZ delays GDP release by another week
Stats NZ delays March qtr GDP figures by a week to ensure it has properly accounted for quake effects; Now due July 14
6th Jul 11, 4:25pm
by Alex Tarrant
2
Stats NZ delays March qtr GDP figures by a week to ensure it has properly accounted for quake effects; Now due July 14
Capital gains tax front and centre
Capital gains tax dominates Parliamentary debate as parties move to state positions on expected Labour policy (except Labour of course)
6th Jul 11, 3:15pm
by Alex Tarrant
18
Capital gains tax dominates Parliamentary debate as parties move to state positions on expected Labour policy (except Labour of course)
Deficit to be NZ$700m less than expected
Higher tax take, lower expenses means govt deficit before gains and losses could be NZ$700m better than expected at NZ$16b, Treasury says
6th Jul 11, 10:00am
by Alex Tarrant
4
Higher tax take, lower expenses means govt deficit before gains and losses could be NZ$700m better than expected at NZ$16b, Treasury says
Key slams CGT, paints rosy growth view
PM Key says next 20 years could see strongest growth in NZ's history on Asian links; Hits out at Labour's capital gains tax posturing
6th Jul 11, 8:23am
by Alex Tarrant
170
PM Key says next 20 years could see strongest growth in NZ's history on Asian links; Hits out at Labour's capital gains tax posturing
Labour not ruling out cap gains tax
Labour leader Goff says tax policies to pay for spending plans will be released in next few weeks, but won't give details, or rule anything in -- or out
5th Jul 11, 11:14am
by Alex Tarrant
54
Labour leader Goff says tax policies to pay for spending plans will be released in next few weeks, but won't give details, or rule anything in -- or out
'Economy better, but risks remain'
NZ economy improved in June qtr, but Aussie slowdown, deleveraging and high NZ$ remain risks to growth, NZIER says
5th Jul 11, 10:01am
by Alex Tarrant
NZ economy improved in June qtr, but Aussie slowdown, deleveraging and high NZ$ remain risks to growth, NZIER says
'Philip Morris couldn't sue NZ'
PM Key says tobacco giant Philip Morris can't sue NZ under free trade rules, in the way it is threatening to sue Aussie govt
4th Jul 11, 5:48pm
by Alex Tarrant
11
PM Key says tobacco giant Philip Morris can't sue NZ under free trade rules, in the way it is threatening to sue Aussie govt
Govt plans NZ$17 bln infrastructure spend
Quakes won't deter govt on nationwide infrastructure plan; Will spend NZ$17 bln in next 4 yrs on top of NZ$5.5 bln quake cash
4th Jul 11, 4:03pm
by Alex Tarrant
11
Quakes won't deter govt on nationwide infrastructure plan; Will spend NZ$17 bln in next 4 yrs on top of NZ$5.5 bln quake cash
GDP grew 0.3% in March qtr - Treasury
Treasury says economy likely grew 0.3% in March qtr ahead of figures due Thursday, sees early encouraging signs for June qtr
4th Jul 11, 2:43pm
by Alex Tarrant
Treasury says economy likely grew 0.3% in March qtr ahead of figures due Thursday, sees early encouraging signs for June qtr
Could IRD even deliver tax reform?
Alex Tarrant asks whether IRD could even implement changes if the govt embarked on widespread tax reform
4th Jul 11, 1:45pm
by Alex Tarrant
4
Alex Tarrant asks whether IRD could even implement changes if the govt embarked on widespread tax reform
Should FTAs include child labour?
Have your say: What should NZ's stance be on child labour laws when negotiating free trade agreements with developing countries
4th Jul 11, 10:09am
by Alex Tarrant
13
Have your say: What should NZ's stance be on child labour laws when negotiating free trade agreements with developing countries
Govt may tweak Pharmac for TPP
Trade Minister Groser says govt won't negotiate Pharmac fundamentals in TPP talks, but won't name them
4th Jul 11, 7:19am
by Alex Tarrant
6
Trade Minister Groser says govt won't negotiate Pharmac fundamentals in TPP talks, but won't name them
Alex's politico-economic blogroll
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: Make Cactus Kate Revenue Minister; Disgraceful insurance co behaviour; Groser's free trade hypocracy; The dictatorial IRB
1st Jul 11, 8:38pm
by Alex Tarrant
4
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: Make Cactus Kate Revenue Minister; Disgraceful insurance co behaviour; Groser's free trade hypocracy; The dictatorial IRB
Red zone homes get rates discount
Christchurch home owners with homes to be demolished need only pay rates on land value, not entire property, govt says
1st Jul 11, 12:56pm
by Alex Tarrant
3
Christchurch home owners with homes to be demolished need only pay rates on land value, not entire property, govt says
NZ property market favouring sellers
Realestate.co.nz says NZ property market follows Auckland, favouring sellers as inventory falls back toward long-term average
1st Jul 11, 9:56am
by Alex Tarrant
55
Realestate.co.nz says NZ property market follows Auckland, favouring sellers as inventory falls back toward long-term average
'Foreigners important for SOE sales'
Treasury releases Budget advice to Ministers on KiwiSaver, Working for Families, SOE sell-downs
30th Jun 11, 1:07pm
by Alex Tarrant
6
Treasury releases Budget advice to Ministers on KiwiSaver, Working for Families, SOE sell-downs