About
A senior journalist and news editor with interest.co.nz, David Hargreaves has covered financial markets and economics both in New Zealand and Britain for longer than he cares to mention.
David Hargreaves
Latest articles
Our national airline is now forecasting a pre-tax loss of perhaps as much as $55 million for the first half of the 2026 financial year and says the NZ economy remains subdued 'with ongoing softness' across various travel segments
22nd Oct 25, 11:53am
Our national airline is now forecasting a pre-tax loss of perhaps as much as $55 million for the first half of the 2026 financial year and says the NZ economy remains subdued 'with ongoing softness' across various travel segments
If we weren't hell-bent on eating, owning homes and keeping ourselves warm, we could kick this inflation thing for good
22nd Oct 25, 11:20am
16
If we weren't hell-bent on eating, owning homes and keeping ourselves warm, we could kick this inflation thing for good
We are still importing more than we export on an annual basis, but the deficit is $7 bln smaller than last year and $13 bln smaller than the year before
21st Oct 25, 1:36pm
We are still importing more than we export on an annual basis, but the deficit is $7 bln smaller than last year and $13 bln smaller than the year before
Westpac economists see about a 30% to 35% chance the Reserve Bank will do another jumbo sized rate cut next month, which could see the OCR end the year at 2.0%
20th Oct 25, 12:15pm
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Westpac economists see about a 30% to 35% chance the Reserve Bank will do another jumbo sized rate cut next month, which could see the OCR end the year at 2.0%
September quarter Consumers Price Index figures out Monday expected to show annual inflation close to the top of or above the top of the targeted 1% to 3% range, but the Reserve Bank is ready for it
19th Oct 25, 6:00am
15
September quarter Consumers Price Index figures out Monday expected to show annual inflation close to the top of or above the top of the targeted 1% to 3% range, but the Reserve Bank is ready for it
Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes show that food prices dropped 0.4% in September, lowering the annual increase to 4.1% - down from 5.0% the previous month; rents had their lowest annual increase since 2011
16th Oct 25, 11:21am
8
Statistics NZ's Selected Price Indexes show that food prices dropped 0.4% in September, lowering the annual increase to 4.1% - down from 5.0% the previous month; rents had their lowest annual increase since 2011
The decision to ease loan-to-value ratio restrictions now is not necessarily a mistake, but the timing is odd and sends the wrong signals
15th Oct 25, 9:35am
21
The decision to ease loan-to-value ratio restrictions now is not necessarily a mistake, but the timing is odd and sends the wrong signals
[updated]
Electronic cards data for September shows that after three consecutive months of gains, seasonally adjusted retail spending fell again
14th Oct 25, 11:15am
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Electronic cards data for September shows that after three consecutive months of gains, seasonally adjusted retail spending fell again
[updated]
The services sector remains in contraction, suggesting the help from the Reserve Bank's jumbo cut to the Official Cash Rate last week can't flow through fast enough; BNZ economists nudge down economic growth and employment forecasts
13th Oct 25, 10:48am
14
The services sector remains in contraction, suggesting the help from the Reserve Bank's jumbo cut to the Official Cash Rate last week can't flow through fast enough; BNZ economists nudge down economic growth and employment forecasts
The Reserve Bank is actively encouraging us to start splashing some cash. Hopefully, this might work. It might also be more than a bit risky
12th Oct 25, 6:01am
28
The Reserve Bank is actively encouraging us to start splashing some cash. Hopefully, this might work. It might also be more than a bit risky
Latest monthly RBNZ figures show that those taking up new mortgages are watching very closely what the Reserve Bank does - and choosing mortgage options to suit the circumstances
7th Oct 25, 1:13pm
Latest monthly RBNZ figures show that those taking up new mortgages are watching very closely what the Reserve Bank does - and choosing mortgage options to suit the circumstances
Reserve Bank's annual report reveals former Governor Adrian Orr will receive over $1 million for his last year in the job
6th Oct 25, 1:58pm
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Reserve Bank's annual report reveals former Governor Adrian Orr will receive over $1 million for his last year in the job
The experts think in a years' time the OCR should be in a range between 2.50% and 2.75%, with views divided on how much further easing in monetary policy should be required beyond October
6th Oct 25, 12:02pm
3
The experts think in a years' time the OCR should be in a range between 2.50% and 2.75%, with views divided on how much further easing in monetary policy should be required beyond October
The coming week's Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate decision looks a genuine toss-up between either a 25 point cut or a 50 pointer, with the RBNZ having to decide whether our sickly economy needs a faster push
5th Oct 25, 6:00am
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The coming week's Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate decision looks a genuine toss-up between either a 25 point cut or a 50 pointer, with the RBNZ having to decide whether our sickly economy needs a faster push
Latest Reserve Bank figures show the amount of non-performing housing loans dropped by $88 million in August following a $55 million fall in July - suggesting that the reductions in mortgage interest rates are having a positive impact
1st Oct 25, 11:16am
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show the amount of non-performing housing loans dropped by $88 million in August following a $55 million fall in July - suggesting that the reductions in mortgage interest rates are having a positive impact
Latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows the highest level of expected future activity in five months
30th Sep 25, 1:28pm
Latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows the highest level of expected future activity in five months
Latest monthly filled jobs data shows a rise - but Statistics NZ has revised down figures for the previous two months and these now show no gain for those months
29th Sep 25, 11:19am
2
Latest monthly filled jobs data shows a rise - but Statistics NZ has revised down figures for the previous two months and these now show no gain for those months
Dairy giant Fonterra is paying farmer shareholders $10.16 per kilogram of milk solids and a total dividend for the year of 57c after reporting a $1.079 billion after tax profit
25th Sep 25, 8:52am
3
Dairy giant Fonterra is paying farmer shareholders $10.16 per kilogram of milk solids and a total dividend for the year of 57c after reporting a $1.079 billion after tax profit
Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows that despite a slight lift, confidence remains at the low levels seen in the aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020
24th Sep 25, 9:00am
1
Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows that despite a slight lift, confidence remains at the low levels seen in the aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020
The belated release of official data showing the economy tanked during the June quarter has put the Reserve Bank under great pressure again and highlights how much we need more timely economic information
24th Sep 25, 8:09am
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The belated release of official data showing the economy tanked during the June quarter has put the Reserve Bank under great pressure again and highlights how much we need more timely economic information
The country needs the Reserve Bank's foot 'firmly on the accelerator' in the wake of last week's shock GDP plunge
22nd Sep 25, 2:36pm
27
The country needs the Reserve Bank's foot 'firmly on the accelerator' in the wake of last week's shock GDP plunge
Strong commodity prices and lower interest rates are expected to support consumer and business investment HSBC economists say
22nd Sep 25, 12:46pm
4
Strong commodity prices and lower interest rates are expected to support consumer and business investment HSBC economists say
SEEK says hiring activity has noticeably picked up; 'We have not seen such broad-based growth in a very long time'
19th Sep 25, 12:01am
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SEEK says hiring activity has noticeably picked up; 'We have not seen such broad-based growth in a very long time'
[updated]
The deficit between what we earn overseas and what we spend narrows considerably in moves that will please global credit rating agencies
17th Sep 25, 11:19am
2
The deficit between what we earn overseas and what we spend narrows considerably in moves that will please global credit rating agencies
The economy is likely to start recovering this summer from the Reserve Bank's enforced recession - but are there better ways of controlling inflation in future than pressurising those with mortgages?
17th Sep 25, 10:43am
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The economy is likely to start recovering this summer from the Reserve Bank's enforced recession - but are there better ways of controlling inflation in future than pressurising those with mortgages?