About
Dan is interest.co.nz's political and economics reporter based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Dan Brunskill
Latest articles
Winston Peters’ campaign for reelection in 2026 has a running start as new polls show growing support for the New Zealand First Party
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Winston Peters’ campaign for reelection in 2026 has a running start as new polls show growing support for the New Zealand First Party
The Reserve Bank plans to keep cutting rates but doesn’t want to risk inflation reigniting
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand plans to cut the Official Cash Rate at its next meeting after leaving it unchanged at 3.25% in July
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The Reserve Bank of New Zealand plans to cut the Official Cash Rate at its next meeting after leaving it unchanged at 3.25% in July
[updated]
Big banks could face a bigger tax bill after Budget 2026, as Finance Minister Nicola Willis seeks advice on whether they are paying their fair share
Big banks could face a bigger tax bill after Budget 2026, as Finance Minister Nicola Willis seeks advice on whether they are paying their fair share
Households are holding back spending as wage growth slows, prices keep climbing, and net wealth stalls
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Households are holding back spending as wage growth slows, prices keep climbing, and net wealth stalls
[updated]
Prepare for another election cycle full of fiscal holes and creative cost estimates after the Act and New Zealand First parties vetoed Nicola Willis’ policy costing unit proposal
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Prepare for another election cycle full of fiscal holes and creative cost estimates after the Act and New Zealand First parties vetoed Nicola Willis’ policy costing unit proposal
New Zealand’s commitment to the ‘rules-based order’ may be wearing thin as powerful countries throw their weight around with impunity
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New Zealand’s commitment to the ‘rules-based order’ may be wearing thin as powerful countries throw their weight around with impunity
The Depositor Compensation Scheme, which insures bank and finance firm deposits up to $100,000, will take effect today, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says
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The Depositor Compensation Scheme, which insures bank and finance firm deposits up to $100,000, will take effect today, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says
Voters are losing confidence in National's ability to manage the economy and the cost of living as election 2026 creeps closer
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Voters are losing confidence in National's ability to manage the economy and the cost of living as election 2026 creeps closer
New Zealand’s trade with China faces a list of economic, cultural, and geopolitical challenges which may challenge export growth in the coming years
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New Zealand’s trade with China faces a list of economic, cultural, and geopolitical challenges which may challenge export growth in the coming years
Kiwi cosmetics are set to hit Chinese store shelves and a new air freight route to South America will open, after NZ diplomats strike deals in Shanghai
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Kiwi cosmetics are set to hit Chinese store shelves and a new air freight route to South America will open, after NZ diplomats strike deals in Shanghai
Most businesses are satisfied with how Christopher Luxon has managed New Zealand’s relationship with China, but dissent is growing
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Most businesses are satisfied with how Christopher Luxon has managed New Zealand’s relationship with China, but dissent is growing
Chlöe Swarbrick says the Public Finance Act should be reformed to promote productive investments and push Treasury to better analyse benefits of spending
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Chlöe Swarbrick says the Public Finance Act should be reformed to promote productive investments and push Treasury to better analyse benefits of spending
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has brought back blanket medium-density rules for most large cities, while offering Christchurch and Auckland bespoke intensification plans
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Housing Minister Chris Bishop has brought back blanket medium-density rules for most large cities, while offering Christchurch and Auckland bespoke intensification plans
Luxon says China relationship is "complex but mature" and goes beyond trade
[updated]
RBNZ's leadership has been warned by Finance Minister Nicola Willis to be more transparent with the public in the future after managing the resignation of Adrian Orr poorly
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RBNZ's leadership has been warned by Finance Minister Nicola Willis to be more transparent with the public in the future after managing the resignation of Adrian Orr poorly
Adrian Orr resigned after raising concerns about the Reserve Bank’s independence while negotiating a five-year funding agreement with the Government
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Adrian Orr resigned after raising concerns about the Reserve Bank’s independence while negotiating a five-year funding agreement with the Government
RBNZ Chairman Neil Quigley confirms he withheld the actual motivation for Adrian Orr’s resignation from the public
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RBNZ Chairman Neil Quigley confirms he withheld the actual motivation for Adrian Orr’s resignation from the public
Paul Conway says businesses don't appear motivated to make the investments needed to improve productivity in an isolated economy
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Paul Conway says businesses don't appear motivated to make the investments needed to improve productivity in an isolated economy
Moderate rain and a Methanex gas deal will help New Zealand avoid repeating last year’s electricity crunch, but analysts are less optimistic about 2026
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Moderate rain and a Methanex gas deal will help New Zealand avoid repeating last year’s electricity crunch, but analysts are less optimistic about 2026
Helen Clark and Don Brash pen open letter asking the Coalition Government not to join any military arrangements that might damage the NZ–China relationship
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Helen Clark and Don Brash pen open letter asking the Coalition Government not to join any military arrangements that might damage the NZ–China relationship
A number of senior staff will leave the Treasury after not securing roles in a restructure led by Secretary Iain Rennie
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A number of senior staff will leave the Treasury after not securing roles in a restructure led by Secretary Iain Rennie
Supermarket ‘specials’ being used to distract shoppers from higher average prices, the Commerce Commission says
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Supermarket ‘specials’ being used to distract shoppers from higher average prices, the Commerce Commission says
Budget 2025 was the most unpopular since 1996, according to one pollster, and may have driven some voters away from the National and ACT parties
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Budget 2025 was the most unpopular since 1996, according to one pollster, and may have driven some voters away from the National and ACT parties
The ACT Party sees the Deputy Prime Minister role as a chance to show it can govern, not just take shots from the sidelines
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The ACT Party sees the Deputy Prime Minister role as a chance to show it can govern, not just take shots from the sidelines