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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

Hide to leave politics at election
New ACT leader Brash says former leader Rodney Hide will step down as an MP after election, but will keep portfolios until then
3rd May 11, 1:38pm
by Alex Tarrant
15
New ACT leader Brash says former leader Rodney Hide will step down as an MP after election, but will keep portfolios until then
Wages growth slower than expected
Wages up 1.9% in March qtr from a year ago, but slower than expected, adding to pain for consumers as inflation rises
3rd May 11, 11:47am
by Alex Tarrant
9
Wages up 1.9% in March qtr from a year ago, but slower than expected, adding to pain for consumers as inflation rises
Govt aware of Aussie jobs threat
Govt aware of jobs threat from Aus, but strong Aus economy helps NZ, PM Key says after Aus Treasurer Swan announces jobs plan
2nd May 11, 6:36pm
by Alex Tarrant
13
Govt aware of jobs threat from Aus, but strong Aus economy helps NZ, PM Key says after Aus Treasurer Swan announces jobs plan
'Fuel tax move won't hit govt debt'
Transport Minister Joyce says fuel tax hike deferment to cost NZ$72 mln, won't increase govt debt or hurt credit rating
2nd May 11, 12:03pm
by Alex Tarrant
Transport Minister Joyce says fuel tax hike deferment to cost NZ$72 mln, won't increase govt debt or hurt credit rating
Hone's financial transaction tax
Harawira calls for 1% financial transaction 'Hone Heke' tax to replace GST, make the rich pay their "fair share" of tax
2nd May 11, 9:47am
by Alex Tarrant
94
Harawira calls for 1% financial transaction 'Hone Heke' tax to replace GST, make the rich pay their "fair share" of tax
Asking prices hit new high in April
Average house sale asking price hits new peak of NZ$429,249 in April, boosted by Auckland market, realestate.co.nz says
2nd May 11, 8:44am
by Alex Tarrant
54
Average house sale asking price hits new peak of NZ$429,249 in April, boosted by Auckland market, realestate.co.nz says
Should Brash set policy baselines?
Have your say: New ACT leader Brash says not prudent to set bottom lines for economic policies; Should he, and what should they be?
2nd May 11, 8:20am
by Alex Tarrant
3
Have your say: New ACT leader Brash says not prudent to set bottom lines for economic policies; Should he, and what should they be?
NZMEA says RBNZ soft on NZ$
NZ Manufacturers and Exporters Association attacks Reserve Bank's 'soft' stance on high NZ dollar
29th Apr 11, 3:31pm
by Alex Tarrant
12
NZ Manufacturers and Exporters Association attacks Reserve Bank's 'soft' stance on high NZ dollar
Cunliffe says English under pressure
Labour's Cunliffe says Finance Minister Bill English is under pressure from new ACT leader Don Brash
29th Apr 11, 3:27pm
by Alex Tarrant
3
Labour's Cunliffe says Finance Minister Bill English is under pressure from new ACT leader Don Brash
Alex's politico-economic blogroll
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: The Blogosphere's reacts to Don Brash's takeover of Act, and all the old Brash cartoons
29th Apr 11, 3:23pm
by Alex Tarrant
18
Alex's politico-economic blogroll: The Blogosphere's reacts to Don Brash's takeover of Act, and all the old Brash cartoons
Record exports in March
New Zealand merchandise export values hit record monthly high of NZ$4.5 billion in March, Stats NZ says
29th Apr 11, 11:10am
by Alex Tarrant
1
New Zealand merchandise export values hit record monthly high of NZ$4.5 billion in March, Stats NZ says
Committee tweaks leaky homes bill
Select Committee says leaky home owners already incurring costs should be covered, worries about some owners' access to finance
28th Apr 11, 6:01pm
by Alex Tarrant
2
Select Committee says leaky home owners already incurring costs should be covered, worries about some owners' access to finance
Govt spends NZ$880m on policy advice
Treasury reviews NZ$880 million worth of govt spending on policy advice, but doesn't recommend specific cuts
28th Apr 11, 11:03am
by Alex Tarrant
18
Treasury reviews NZ$880 million worth of govt spending on policy advice, but doesn't recommend specific cuts
Dovish RBNZ leaves OCR at 2.5%
RBNZ leaves OCR at 2.5%; says this level likely “for some time,” but takes out mention of tightening when Chch rebuild begins
28th Apr 11, 9:08am
by Alex Tarrant
27
RBNZ leaves OCR at 2.5%; says this level likely “for some time,” but takes out mention of tightening when Chch rebuild begins
Govt casts aside OECD tax plan
Government holds line on capital gains tax, retirement age, despite OECD joining IMF in recommending budget policy shake-up
27th Apr 11, 12:08pm
by Alex Tarrant
22
Government holds line on capital gains tax, retirement age, despite OECD joining IMF in recommending budget policy shake-up
Westpac sees 4% house price rise
Westpac forecasts house prices to rise 4% over coming year as interest rates stay low
27th Apr 11, 10:12am
by Alex Tarrant
25
Westpac forecasts house prices to rise 4% over coming year as interest rates stay low
Where interest rates are seen headed
Economists split on timing of first OCR hike - end of 2011 or first quarter of 2012? Depends on quake rebuild, underlying inflation pressure
26th Apr 11, 7:00pm
by Alex Tarrant
7
Economists split on timing of first OCR hike - end of 2011 or first quarter of 2012? Depends on quake rebuild, underlying inflation pressure
Joyce defers 1.5 c/ltr fuel tax hike
Government defers 2011 fuel tax increase of 1.5 cents per litre due to tight economic conditions
26th Apr 11, 2:09pm
by Alex Tarrant
53
Government defers 2011 fuel tax increase of 1.5 cents per litre due to tight economic conditions
Rent inflation to be 'elevated for years'
Westpac sees rent inflation remaining elevated "for years" due to tax changes, earthquake destruction and Auckland immigration. Your view?
26th Apr 11, 10:29am
by Alex Tarrant
33
Westpac sees rent inflation remaining elevated "for years" due to tax changes, earthquake destruction and Auckland immigration. Your view?
Should Brash lead the ACT Party?
Have your say: Should former National leader and RBNZ Governor Don Brash take over leadership of the Act Party?
26th Apr 11, 9:57am
by Alex Tarrant
41
Have your say: Should former National leader and RBNZ Governor Don Brash take over leadership of the Act Party?
Should Auckland's trains be built here?
Have your say: Should KiwiRail be forced to make sure 38 trains earmarked for Auckland are built in New Zealand?
21st Apr 11, 5:07pm
by Alex Tarrant
32
Have your say: Should KiwiRail be forced to make sure 38 trains earmarked for Auckland are built in New Zealand?
Alex's politico-economic blogroll
Nolan says quit whining over CPI; Heine on how to get Act back on track; Bomber says Goff's still in the game
21st Apr 11, 10:22am
by Alex Tarrant
11
Nolan says quit whining over CPI; Heine on how to get Act back on track; Bomber says Goff's still in the game
FMA to get NZ$24m this year
New Financial Markets Authority to get NZ$24 mln funding this year, up from NZ$18 mln for current regulators
20th Apr 11, 10:47am
by Alex Tarrant
6
New Financial Markets Authority to get NZ$24 mln funding this year, up from NZ$18 mln for current regulators
'NZ First, Labour thinking so alike'
Alex Tarrant compares Labour's and NZ First's economic policies and finds they are the same; What to expect from a coalition of the left
19th Apr 11, 3:07pm
by Alex Tarrant
15
Alex Tarrant compares Labour's and NZ First's economic policies and finds they are the same; What to expect from a coalition of the left
KiwiSaver relief for Cantabrians
Govt adds earthquake to hardship circumstances for Kiwisaver funds withdrawals, Commerce Minister Power says
19th Apr 11, 12:24pm
by Alex Tarrant
Govt adds earthquake to hardship circumstances for Kiwisaver funds withdrawals, Commerce Minister Power says