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Benje Patterson

About

Benje Patterson's responsibilities at Infometrics include compiling forecasts and writing commentaries on the transport sector, tourism, fiscal policy, the external sector, and the international economy.  As part of his role overseeing the transport sector, he produces our transport monthly and manages our used car price indices.

Benje enjoys applying financial modelling techniques to forecast and understand issues pertaining to fiscal policy and other macroeconomic variables.  Benje has also written and presented on his views regarding the need to reform structural fiscal spending on the elderly and tertiary education.  He believes that current policy settings protect the interests of people who are least in need and will unnecessarily exacerbate intergenerational tensions. 

Member for

11 years 6 months

Latest articles

Benje Patterson argues banks’ narrow focus on short-term profitability has set some households up to fail
24th May 23, 10:00am
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Benje Patterson argues banks’ narrow focus on short-term profitability has set some households up to fail
Benje Patterson says many households will need to tighten their belts due to higher mortgage payments. The burden of this adjustment will be unevenly spread across the economy and fall on sectors which rely on discretionary expenditure
18th Nov 21, 9:29am
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Benje Patterson says many households will need to tighten their belts due to higher mortgage payments. The burden of this adjustment will be unevenly spread across the economy and fall on sectors which rely on discretionary expenditure
Benje Patterson says a legacy of Covid-19 may be some permanent changes to the way we work and where we choose to live
17th Nov 21, 1:21pm
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Benje Patterson says a legacy of Covid-19 may be some permanent changes to the way we work and where we choose to live
Benje Patterson suggests the Trans-Tasman bubble may not be the saviour of the tourism industry over winter, with just ski destinations and the big cities likely to benefit
7th Apr 21, 10:11am
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Benje Patterson suggests the Trans-Tasman bubble may not be the saviour of the tourism industry over winter, with just ski destinations and the big cities likely to benefit
Benje Patterson shows that even though the number of business failures has risen sharply, new businesses have sprouted fast too, moving into the changed economic landscape
23rd Oct 20, 8:55am
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Benje Patterson shows that even though the number of business failures has risen sharply, new businesses have sprouted fast too, moving into the changed economic landscape
Benje Patterson casts an eye over the entrepreneurial spirit that saw 3,136 businesses started across New Zealand during April when the country was in lockdown
26th May 20, 11:19am
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Benje Patterson casts an eye over the entrepreneurial spirit that saw 3,136 businesses started across New Zealand during April when the country was in lockdown
Benje Patterson explores the key contributors to private sector debt, as well as basic rules of thumb to put this debt in context
21st Nov 19, 12:03pm
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Benje Patterson explores the key contributors to private sector debt, as well as basic rules of thumb to put this debt in context
Benje Patterson on attracting people, economic development as a long game, the importance of economic gardening, the working world is changing and making economic development inclusive
1st Nov 19, 10:00am
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Benje Patterson on attracting people, economic development as a long game, the importance of economic gardening, the working world is changing and making economic development inclusive
Benje Patterson says Finance Minister Grant Robertson could stimulate the economy by targeting tax cuts at lower income households via a cash handout
19th Sep 19, 1:25pm
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Benje Patterson says Finance Minister Grant Robertson could stimulate the economy by targeting tax cuts at lower income households via a cash handout
Benje Patterson on looking beyond GDP, being pro-wellbeing and pro GDP growth, measuring things in a brave new world, the woolly wellbeing Budget and wellbeing budgeting coming to a council near you!
26th Jul 19, 10:00am
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Benje Patterson on looking beyond GDP, being pro-wellbeing and pro GDP growth, measuring things in a brave new world, the woolly wellbeing Budget and wellbeing budgeting coming to a council near you!
Benje Patterson looks at 10 ways to kickstart your financial health
15th Dec 17, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson looks at 10 ways to kickstart your financial health
Benje Patterson examines the personal finance ramifications of tying up money in housing
7th Jul 17, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson examines the personal finance ramifications of tying up money in housing
Benje Patterson gets up close and personal with the regional population diaspora
9th Dec 16, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson gets up close and personal with the regional population diaspora
As the ripple effect pushes out from Auckland for residential property, Benje Patterson looks at the implications for commercial property
26th Oct 16, 5:24pm
As the ripple effect pushes out from Auckland for residential property, Benje Patterson looks at the implications for commercial property
Benje Patterson plunges into the world of local politics: Taxing Auckland's vacant houses, bringing kiwi birds back to Wellington, the allure of small towns, more satire needed, but careful on that, Dilbert & more
15th Jul 16, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson plunges into the world of local politics: Taxing Auckland's vacant houses, bringing kiwi birds back to Wellington, the allure of small towns, more satire needed, but careful on that, Dilbert & more
Benje Patterson wants regional policy makers to use much more than a GDP metric to inform the progress of their regions in improving 'well-being'
31st May 16, 10:29am
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Benje Patterson wants regional policy makers to use much more than a GDP metric to inform the progress of their regions in improving 'well-being'
Benje Patterson says the pressure is on to accommodate the surge in tourism and unoccupied private holiday homes could become the basis of a quick but crucial expansion of capacity
3rd May 16, 10:00am
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Benje Patterson says the pressure is on to accommodate the surge in tourism and unoccupied private holiday homes could become the basis of a quick but crucial expansion of capacity
Benje Patterson on the Top 10 reasons why we shouldn't hate on freedom campers
15th Apr 16, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson on the Top 10 reasons why we shouldn't hate on freedom campers
Benje Patterson says the regions are in great shape, despite dairy, with resilience built on wide diversification, flexibility & housing affordability
29th Mar 16, 10:14am
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Benje Patterson says the regions are in great shape, despite dairy, with resilience built on wide diversification, flexibility & housing affordability
Benje Patterson singles out six regions thriving despite (or because of) the dairy downturn. Meat, horticulture, seafood and tourism -based industries are helping drive confidence and investment
29th Sep 15, 12:21pm
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Benje Patterson singles out six regions thriving despite (or because of) the dairy downturn. Meat, horticulture, seafood and tourism -based industries are helping drive confidence and investment
Benje Patterson on 10 reasons why you shouldn’t get your knickers in a twist over the sour outlook for the dairy sector
14th Aug 15, 10:02am
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Benje Patterson on 10 reasons why you shouldn’t get your knickers in a twist over the sour outlook for the dairy sector
Benje Patterson says the stars seem aligned for strong growth in international education’s contribution to export earnings over coming years
28th Jul 15, 11:10am
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Benje Patterson says the stars seem aligned for strong growth in international education’s contribution to export earnings over coming years
Bay of Plenty city attracting population in broad-based economic expansion based on strong jobs growth and affordable housing
3rd Jun 15, 11:03am
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Bay of Plenty city attracting population in broad-based economic expansion based on strong jobs growth and affordable housing
Benje Patterson wonders why requiring banks to hold more capital for property investor lending isn't a policy action that is being used
16th May 15, 6:04am
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Benje Patterson wonders why requiring banks to hold more capital for property investor lending isn't a policy action that is being used
Benje Patterson on digital hitchhiking, dismantling Wellington's runway extension, Hobbit costumes, potty training for tourists, the daylight robbery of roaming, Dilbert & more
17th Apr 15, 10:51am
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Benje Patterson on digital hitchhiking, dismantling Wellington's runway extension, Hobbit costumes, potty training for tourists, the daylight robbery of roaming, Dilbert & more