sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

Bernard Hickey

About

Bernard is back as a senior contributor on interest.co.nz. Until September 30, 2012 he was the managing editor here. He had previously worked for 18 years for Reuters, the FT Group and Fairfax as a financial journalist and editor. He is now the publisher of The Kaka.

Member for

16 years 10 months

Latest articles

English to name new Cabinet on Sunday
New PM to name Cabinet on Sunday with swearing in planned for Tuesday; Sam Lotu-liga says will step down at next election; Ministers seen in play include McCully, Parata and Smith; MBIE up for grabs
by Bernard Hickey
6
New PM to name Cabinet on Sunday with swearing in planned for Tuesday; Sam Lotu-liga says will step down at next election; Ministers seen in play include McCully, Parata and Smith; MBIE up for grabs
PM English not talking tax cuts
New PM Bill English talks up infrastructure, housing and ensuring benefits of growth widely shared in first news conference after being elected National leader; sworn in as PM with Paula Bennett deputy
by Bernard Hickey
53
New PM Bill English talks up infrastructure, housing and ensuring benefits of growth widely shared in first news conference after being elected National leader; sworn in as PM with Paula Bennett deputy
A new target for a new leader
Bill English should refocus economic policy on increasing GDP per hour worked, rather than just total GDP
by Bernard Hickey
36
Bill English should refocus economic policy on increasing GDP per hour worked, rather than just total GDP
English ramps up capital spending
Treasury sees surpluses rising to NZ$8.5 bln by 2021; English increases capital spending allowance by NZ$5.4 bln over 4 years; Borrowing programme increased; Debt repayment and quake rebuild priority over tax cuts
by Bernard Hickey
16
Treasury sees surpluses rising to NZ$8.5 bln by 2021; English increases capital spending allowance by NZ$5.4 bln over 4 years; Borrowing programme increased; Debt repayment and quake rebuild priority over tax cuts
Bill English to be PM
Growing number of National MPs publicly declaring support for Bill English as PM; outcome of Monday vote may be fait accompli later today; Paula Bennett seen most likely choice as deputy; Collins focused on back-benchers
by Bernard Hickey
36
Growing number of National MPs publicly declaring support for Bill English as PM; outcome of Monday vote may be fait accompli later today; Paula Bennett seen most likely choice as deputy; Collins focused on back-benchers
English vs Coleman vs Collins for PM's job
English and Coleman to contest bid for National Party leadership in Caucus vote next Monday; English's hopes for quick and cohesive leadership change dashed; Coleman wants 'generational change'; English says NZ Super options open
by Bernard Hickey
124
English and Coleman to contest bid for National Party leadership in Caucus vote next Monday; English's hopes for quick and cohesive leadership change dashed; Coleman wants 'generational change'; English says NZ Super options open
English to decide on PM bid on Tuesday
Key says will vote for English as National leader in December 12 caucus vote; says National can win 4th and 5th terms with English as leader; Key says wants quieter life with family; eyes board positions in Australasia or Asia
by Bernard Hickey
42
Key says will vote for English as National leader in December 12 caucus vote; says National can win 4th and 5th terms with English as leader; Key says wants quieter life with family; eyes board positions in Australasia or Asia
Having it both ways
The PM doesn’t trust the Treasury’s forecasts for the very long term and the very short term, but he thinks we should rely on the medium term one that says we can afford tax cuts, extra social spending, the quake rebuilds and debt repayment
by Bernard Hickey
34
The PM doesn’t trust the Treasury’s forecasts for the very long term and the very short term, but he thinks we should rely on the medium term one that says we can afford tax cuts, extra social spending, the quake rebuilds and debt repayment
RBNZ eyes NZ$40 bln bank funding challenge
RBNZ wary of increasing use by banks of wholesale offshore funding to fill gap left by falling growth of local deposits; says banks raising deposit and mortgage rates to help fill gap; see long term rates having bottomed out
by Bernard Hickey
26
RBNZ wary of increasing use by banks of wholesale offshore funding to fill gap left by falling growth of local deposits; says banks raising deposit and mortgage rates to help fill gap; see long term rates having bottomed out
RBNZ says quakes could cost NZ$8 bln
RBNZ says Kaikoura quakes could cost NZ$3-8 billion, including up to NZ$3 bln of Govt spend and up to NZ$5 bln of insurance; still confident on economy; says insurers can handle claims
by Bernard Hickey
2
RBNZ says Kaikoura quakes could cost NZ$3-8 billion, including up to NZ$3 bln of Govt spend and up to NZ$5 bln of insurance; still confident on economy; says insurers can handle claims
RBNZ won't use DTI 'at this time'
RBNZ warns in Financial Stability Report that housing imbalances remain; Wheeler says won't use Debt To Income multiple restriction 'at this time'; RBNZ notes rising use by banks of 'hot' overseas funds
by Bernard Hickey
29
RBNZ warns in Financial Stability Report that housing imbalances remain; Wheeler says won't use Debt To Income multiple restriction 'at this time'; RBNZ notes rising use by banks of 'hot' overseas funds
English says mortgage rates have bottomed out
Finance Minister says rise in long term interest rates since Trump's election sign of normalisation of rates and inflation; should signal to home buyers rates have bottomed out; also will help rebalance NZ$ lower
by Bernard Hickey
7
Finance Minister says rise in long term interest rates since Trump's election sign of normalisation of rates and inflation; should signal to home buyers rates have bottomed out; also will help rebalance NZ$ lower
Treasury forecasts "nonsense", says Key
PM says Treasury's forecasts of blow-out in debt by 2060 without NZ Superannuation changes "a load of nonsense"; says Treasury couldn't get forecasts right 44 days before Budget 'let alone 44 years out'; also downplays weak productivity
by Bernard Hickey
54
PM says Treasury's forecasts of blow-out in debt by 2060 without NZ Superannuation changes "a load of nonsense"; says Treasury couldn't get forecasts right 44 days before Budget 'let alone 44 years out'; also downplays weak productivity
A broken social contract
Like any building with concrete cancer, trust in a big society-wide idea can seem very solid right up until the moment of collapse
by Bernard Hickey
29
Like any building with concrete cancer, trust in a big society-wide idea can seem very solid right up until the moment of collapse
Govt expands state house sale plan
Bill English and Paula Bennett plan to sell up to 2,500 state houses in Christchurch to community housing provider; includes house John Key grew up in; Housing NZ to retain up to 3,900 homes in Christchurch
by Bernard Hickey
6
Bill English and Paula Bennett plan to sell up to 2,500 state houses in Christchurch to community housing provider; includes house John Key grew up in; Housing NZ to retain up to 3,900 homes in Christchurch
Govt increases quota for seasonal work migrants
Ministers announce cap for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in 2016/17 raised by 1,000 to 10,500; say allows horticulture and wine exporters to keep growing; Winston Peters rails against National's "immigration madness"
by Bernard Hickey
21
Ministers announce cap for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in 2016/17 raised by 1,000 to 10,500; say allows horticulture and wine exporters to keep growing; Winston Peters rails against National's "immigration madness"
Treasury warns again on long-term costs of ageing
Treasury publishes Long Term Fiscal Position forecasts; repeats 2013 warning that net debt will blow out to around 200% of GDP by 2060 without changes to NZ Super indexation and age
by Bernard Hickey
37
Treasury publishes Long Term Fiscal Position forecasts; repeats 2013 warning that net debt will blow out to around 200% of GDP by 2060 without changes to NZ Super indexation and age
Key tells Zuckerberg to fix tax PR
PM meets with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg; says told him to fix public perception that Facebook not paying enough tax; Key says feeling that got Trump got elected because voters believe 'world isn't fair'
by Bernard Hickey
14
PM meets with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg; says told him to fix public perception that Facebook not paying enough tax; Key says feeling that got Trump got elected because voters believe 'world isn't fair'
Tax cuts still possible despite Kaikoura
John Key and Bill English say pre-election tax cut option still open despite Kaikoura rebuild costs; Key sees NZ$8-9 bln surpluses by 2019/20 so Kaikoura rebuild costs of NZ$2 bln 'not material'; HYEFU may be delayed
by Bernard Hickey
43
John Key and Bill English say pre-election tax cut option still open despite Kaikoura rebuild costs; Key sees NZ$8-9 bln surpluses by 2019/20 so Kaikoura rebuild costs of NZ$2 bln 'not material'; HYEFU may be delayed
The great bondcano of 2016
Long term bond yields have risen sharply since Donald Trump's election, which is pushing up mortgage rates and the Government's borrowing costs just as it may have to start borrowing again and just as housing markets are cooling
by Bernard Hickey
58
Long term bond yields have risen sharply since Donald Trump's election, which is pushing up mortgage rates and the Government's borrowing costs just as it may have to start borrowing again and just as housing markets are cooling
LINZ data still not accounting for students, temporary workers
Data on non-resident purchases shows 3% of property buyers non-residents for tax purposes, but no way of knowing how many of the other 97% are foreign students or temporary workers; new survey detail due in May
by Bernard Hickey
63
Data on non-resident purchases shows 3% of property buyers non-residents for tax purposes, but no way of knowing how many of the other 97% are foreign students or temporary workers; new survey detail due in May
Govt offers support to Kaikoura businesses
Steven Joyce and Anne Tolley announce NZ$7.5 mln package of support for Kaikoura businesses with less than 20 workers; NZ$500/week per worker for eight weeks, but may be extended; to cost NZ$7.5 mln
by Bernard Hickey
3
Steven Joyce and Anne Tolley announce NZ$7.5 mln package of support for Kaikoura businesses with less than 20 workers; NZ$500/week per worker for eight weeks, but may be extended; to cost NZ$7.5 mln
House sales initially frozen after 7.8 quake
Insurers put embargo on transferring home insurance from vendors to buyers from Rakaia to Masterton; Wellington deals frozen as mortgages impossible without insurance, say agents; Boom stopped dead in its tracks
by Bernard Hickey
43
Insurers put embargo on transferring home insurance from vendors to buyers from Rakaia to Masterton; Wellington deals frozen as mortgages impossible without insurance, say agents; Boom stopped dead in its tracks
English says will borrow if needed to fund rebuild
Finance Minister says Government has strong enough balance sheet to borrow billions of dollars needed to rebuild infrastructure around Kaikoura; says "funding is not an issue", although some other projects could be delayed
by Bernard Hickey
34
Finance Minister says Government has strong enough balance sheet to borrow billions of dollars needed to rebuild infrastructure around Kaikoura; says "funding is not an issue", although some other projects could be delayed
Quake may force complete road/rail rebuild
Key says main road and rail route from Picton to Christchurch may need realignment or re-routing in long term at huge cost; English highlights damage to main transport links and says Govt finances can handle repair costs
by Bernard Hickey
34
Key says main road and rail route from Picton to Christchurch may need realignment or re-routing in long term at huge cost; English highlights damage to main transport links and says Govt finances can handle repair costs