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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

HAM, lag and the Kaikoura quake
Alex Tarrant discusses the 18-month lag for the government's new Housing Affordability Measure; Stats NZ has data till end-2015, yet we have to wait until July/August for it; MBIE should put it out ASAP
22nd May 17, 5:02am
by Alex Tarrant
Alex Tarrant discusses the 18-month lag for the government's new Housing Affordability Measure; Stats NZ has data till end-2015, yet we have to wait until July/August for it; MBIE should put it out ASAP
Auckland housing: Put your HAM where your mouth is
We now have two govt Auckland housing affordability measures, and they don’t work very well together. Alex Tarrant says govt should put its HAM where its Auckland Housing Plan mouth is
21st May 17, 7:02am
by Alex Tarrant
42
We now have two govt Auckland housing affordability measures, and they don’t work very well together. Alex Tarrant says govt should put its HAM where its Auckland Housing Plan mouth is
Why mortgage rates might rise faster than expected
Mind the output gap: The Reserve Bank wants us to take note of its capacity pressure risk scenarios. Don't look away - inflation, wages and mortgage rates might rise earlier than expected
20th May 17, 9:48am
by Alex Tarrant
50
Mind the output gap: The Reserve Bank wants us to take note of its capacity pressure risk scenarios. Don't look away - inflation, wages and mortgage rates might rise earlier than expected
Labour: Regional immigration points not working
Andrew Little casts doubt on 2015 immigration change that awarded bonus points to immigrants who went to regions; Cites anecdotal evidence that many move to Auckland after a year
18th May 17, 11:03am
by Alex Tarrant
27
Andrew Little casts doubt on 2015 immigration change that awarded bonus points to immigrants who went to regions; Cites anecdotal evidence that many move to Auckland after a year
Some taxing questions
Interest.co.nz talks to EY's David Snell about how US tax reforms could affect NZ (keep an eye on Australia's reaction), and why the NZ govt's multinational tax change proposals won't lead to a pot of gold
18th May 17, 8:02am
by Alex Tarrant
4
Interest.co.nz talks to EY's David Snell about how US tax reforms could affect NZ (keep an eye on Australia's reaction), and why the NZ govt's multinational tax change proposals won't lead to a pot of gold
Aussie wage growth stays at record low (why it matters to NZ)
Aussie wage growth stagnated at a record low last quarter. This matters for New Zealand (read Auckland) housing, migration and infrastructure pressures
17th May 17, 2:51pm
by Alex Tarrant
23
Aussie wage growth stagnated at a record low last quarter. This matters for New Zealand (read Auckland) housing, migration and infrastructure pressures
Strong reaction to National's housing policy
Amy Adams defends National’s Auckland housing policy as critics say numbers fall far short of city’s shortage and question infrastructure capacity to handle population growth
17th May 17, 5:02am
by Alex Tarrant
44
Amy Adams defends National’s Auckland housing policy as critics say numbers fall far short of city’s shortage and question infrastructure capacity to handle population growth
Govt to build 34,000 Auckland houses
National to build 34,000 houses in Auckland over next decade on land currently with 8,300 state homes on it; 60% to be sold off into the market
16th May 17, 12:57pm
by Alex Tarrant
100
National to build 34,000 houses in Auckland over next decade on land currently with 8,300 state homes on it; 60% to be sold off into the market
National's house building plan: Next step (today) Tuesday
National to reveal next step of govt-led house building plan in Auckland Tuesday; PM English notes scope for scale on Crown land, says govt won't need to keep them all
15th May 17, 5:20pm
by Alex Tarrant
27
National to reveal next step of govt-led house building plan in Auckland Tuesday; PM English notes scope for scale on Crown land, says govt won't need to keep them all
Strong reaction to Labour's housing policy
Andrew Little defends Labour's negative gearing policy against criticisms rents will rise and house building fall; Says aim is to stabilise market
15th May 17, 12:21pm
by Alex Tarrant
217
Andrew Little defends Labour's negative gearing policy against criticisms rents will rise and house building fall; Says aim is to stabilise market
Labour outlines negative gearing removal plans
A Labour-led government would phase out negative gearing for property investment over five years, Andrew Little says; Savings to subsidise insulation scheme
14th May 17, 2:43pm
by Alex Tarrant
135
A Labour-led government would phase out negative gearing for property investment over five years, Andrew Little says; Savings to subsidise insulation scheme
What should happen if a bank fails?
Interest.co.nz chats to RBNZ Deputy Spencer about the challenges in weighing up the IMF's call for deposit insurance or a pre-stated 'de minimis' option against the reality of having to wait to see how big a hole you're dealing with if a bank fails
14th May 17, 10:34am
by Alex Tarrant
94
Interest.co.nz chats to RBNZ Deputy Spencer about the challenges in weighing up the IMF's call for deposit insurance or a pre-stated 'de minimis' option against the reality of having to wait to see how big a hole you're dealing with if a bank fails
Labour: Unemployment to 4% in first term
Labour promises to reduce unemployment to 4% within first term of leading government; Robertson takes swipe at those discussing race in immigration debate, says inflows need managing
13th May 17, 1:39pm
by Alex Tarrant
46
Labour promises to reduce unemployment to 4% within first term of leading government; Robertson takes swipe at those discussing race in immigration debate, says inflows need managing
Teaching Winston how to read a chart
A blueprint is born for how the Greens and New Zealand First might work with each other around Andrew Little’s Cabinet table
12th May 17, 8:02am
by Alex Tarrant
17
A blueprint is born for how the Greens and New Zealand First might work with each other around Andrew Little’s Cabinet table
Warning from Tokyo
RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler visited Tokyo for a meeting of central bankers this week where he discussed risks facing the global economy. The US is still front-and-centre
11th May 17, 1:14pm
by Alex Tarrant
15
RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler visited Tokyo for a meeting of central bankers this week where he discussed risks facing the global economy. The US is still front-and-centre
'Number one answer is land supply'
Best way to address housing affordability is boosting land supply, Building & Construction Minister Smith says after govt data details affordability struggles in Auckland
10th May 17, 5:22pm
by Alex Tarrant
85
Best way to address housing affordability is boosting land supply, Building & Construction Minister Smith says after govt data details affordability struggles in Auckland
'MPs' property ownership has affected policy making'
MPs' property ownership has affected policy making, Greens and ACT claim; Shaw and Seymour agree on supply, clash on capital gains tax solutions
10th May 17, 10:49am
by Alex Tarrant
47
MPs' property ownership has affected policy making, Greens and ACT claim; Shaw and Seymour agree on supply, clash on capital gains tax solutions
Our MPs just love owning property
New Zealand's MPs have interests in 350 properties between them - three each (2.5 if you cut out Maori land blocks); National MPs register the largest investment holdings
9th May 17, 5:31pm
by Alex Tarrant
82
New Zealand's MPs have interests in 350 properties between them - three each (2.5 if you cut out Maori land blocks); National MPs register the largest investment holdings
Govt concerned 'for some time' about risk from rising rates
Govt has been concerned for 'some time' about risks from rising mortgage rates as house price boom stretched borrower serviceability limits, PM says; 'Borrowers go in with eyes open about risks; Fundamental issue is still supply'
8th May 17, 6:12pm
by Alex Tarrant
88
Govt has been concerned for 'some time' about risks from rising mortgage rates as house price boom stretched borrower serviceability limits, PM says; 'Borrowers go in with eyes open about risks; Fundamental issue is still supply'
Living cost debate should lead to UBI or tax-free threshold policy
Where have all the tax-free thresholds and UBIs gone? Our politicians are quite right to be concerned that living costs are rising more for those on lower incomes; But how do we improve living standards? Reducing costs is tough so let's look at incomes
7th May 17, 7:17am
by Alex Tarrant
41
Where have all the tax-free thresholds and UBIs gone? Our politicians are quite right to be concerned that living costs are rising more for those on lower incomes; But how do we improve living standards? Reducing costs is tough so let's look at incomes
'We’ll build more than you'
Labour, National target Hamilton with KiwiBuild vs social housing announcements
5th May 17, 11:47am
by Alex Tarrant
20
Labour, National target Hamilton with KiwiBuild vs social housing announcements
NZ$ at US70c a good balance for NZ economy - English
PM Bill English says he hasn't seen serious currency control proposals in response to NZ First's Peters saying Kiwi overvalued and Singapore is an example NZ could follow
4th May 17, 8:07am
by Alex Tarrant
5
PM Bill English says he hasn't seen serious currency control proposals in response to NZ First's Peters saying Kiwi overvalued and Singapore is an example NZ could follow
Driving a truck through NZ's migration settings
The case of truck drivers highlights how confusing NZ's work visa and immigration settings can be; It also shows the shortage might be working in encouraging the industry to figure out how to attract more locals
3rd May 17, 3:04pm
by Alex Tarrant
20
The case of truck drivers highlights how confusing NZ's work visa and immigration settings can be; It also shows the shortage might be working in encouraging the industry to figure out how to attract more locals
Unemployment falls to 4.9%
NZ unemployment rate falls to 4.9% in March; Jobs growth exceeds boost in working age population; economists don't see any immediate interest rate reaction from the RBNZ
3rd May 17, 10:55am
by Alex Tarrant
20
NZ unemployment rate falls to 4.9% in March; Jobs growth exceeds boost in working age population; economists don't see any immediate interest rate reaction from the RBNZ
Immigration about race and ethnicity – Peters
Winston Peters hits back at criticisms of NZ First's immigration stance, says immigration debate is about race and ethnicity; Attacks govt for using up economic national capital built up by previous generations
3rd May 17, 9:59am
by Alex Tarrant
81
Winston Peters hits back at criticisms of NZ First's immigration stance, says immigration debate is about race and ethnicity; Attacks govt for using up economic national capital built up by previous generations