David Hargreaves

Westpac economists think NZ is finding where the unemployment floor lies, with no net growth in Job numbers and all of the heat in labour market coming through in pay rates

Westpac economists think NZ is finding where the unemployment floor lies, with no net growth in Job numbers and all of the heat in labour market coming through in pay rates

Latest labour market data showing 'severe capacity constraints and intensifying wage pressures' prompt change of view and perceived need for the Reserve Bank to do a little more against inflation

Latest labour market data showing 'severe capacity constraints and intensifying wage pressures' prompt change of view and perceived need for the Reserve Bank to do a little more against inflation

The apparently contradictory nature of the latest labour market figures - showing rising unemployment, but very fast-rising wages - gives the RBNZ a whole lot to think about as it ponders its next Official Cash Rate review

The apparently contradictory nature of the latest labour market figures - showing rising unemployment, but very fast-rising wages - gives the RBNZ a whole lot to think about as it ponders its next Official Cash Rate review

Statistics New Zealand says the unemployment rate has risen to 3.3% from 3.2%, while private sector hourly wages have risen 7%

Statistics New Zealand says the unemployment rate has risen to 3.3% from 3.2%, while private sector hourly wages have risen 7%

David Hargreaves bemoans the lack of foresight of NZ governments - which is about to be demonstrated again with a forthcoming downturn in housing construction

David Hargreaves bemoans the lack of foresight of NZ governments - which is about to be demonstrated again with a forthcoming downturn in housing construction

David Hargreaves assesses the possibilities and prospects ahead of the release of labour market data next week that will likely show the country's unemployment rate hitting a new low and the biggest rates of pay rises in well over a decade

David Hargreaves assesses the possibilities and prospects ahead of the release of labour market data next week that will likely show the country's unemployment rate hitting a new low and the biggest rates of pay rises in well over a decade

Collapse in residential construction sentiment highlights another gloomy ANZ Business Outlook Survey

Collapse in residential construction sentiment highlights another gloomy ANZ Business Outlook Survey

RBNZ figures show that fewer than 15,000 mortgages were issued last month - easily a record low for a June since the data began being collected in 2013

RBNZ figures show that fewer than 15,000 mortgages were issued last month - easily a record low for a June since the data began being collected in 2013

Statistics New Zealand says the highest spending households are more affected by the rising mortgage rates

Statistics New Zealand says the highest spending households are more affected by the rising mortgage rates

BNZ economists see unemployment rate falling further and say unless there are soon signs 'the worm is turning' the RBNZ will have to contemplate 'a more aggressive interest rate track'

BNZ economists see unemployment rate falling further and say unless there are soon signs 'the worm is turning' the RBNZ will have to contemplate 'a more aggressive interest rate track'

Capital Economics says several central banks around the globe will have to reverse course as their countries' economies either enter recession or teeter on the edge of it

Capital Economics says several central banks around the globe will have to reverse course as their countries' economies either enter recession or teeter on the edge of it

As our Official Cash Rate is being increased at never-before-seen speed, David Hargreaves tries to make sense of it all and the potential repercussions

As our Official Cash Rate is being increased at never-before-seen speed, David Hargreaves tries to make sense of it all and the potential repercussions

The surprisingly high inflation figure revealed this week has put the focus very firmly on some forthcoming economic events

The surprisingly high inflation figure revealed this week has put the focus very firmly on some forthcoming economic events

ANZ economists have changed their call and now see a higher peak of 4% for the OCR and say a 75-point rise next month 'is a very real possibility'; ASB also sees a chance of a 75-pointer

ANZ economists have changed their call and now see a higher peak of 4% for the OCR and say a 75-point rise next month 'is a very real possibility'; ASB also sees a chance of a 75-pointer

Latest inflation figures have come in even hotter than economists and the Reserve Bank had forecast

Latest inflation figures have come in even hotter than economists and the Reserve Bank had forecast

Annual inflation is widely expected to hit a 32-year high of at least 7% when the latest official data is released - but the real issue is whether this will be the peak

Annual inflation is widely expected to hit a 32-year high of at least 7% when the latest official data is released - but the real issue is whether this will be the peak

Statistics New Zealand says household net worth has fallen for the first time in nearly three years, while Kiwis have been spending nearly every dollar of their income

Statistics New Zealand says household net worth has fallen for the first time in nearly three years, while Kiwis have been spending nearly every dollar of their income

Reserve Bank makes it three in a row for 50 point OCR hikes; says it is 'resolute' in commitment to getting inflation down

Reserve Bank makes it three in a row for 50 point OCR hikes; says it is 'resolute' in commitment to getting inflation down

David Hargreaves attempts to caution us against talking ourselves into a lingering economic downturn

David Hargreaves attempts to caution us against talking ourselves into a lingering economic downturn

Statistics New Zealand says retail spending - excluding fuel - dropped by 0.3% in June

Statistics New Zealand says retail spending - excluding fuel - dropped by 0.3% in June

Latest Kiwibank household spending data shows that the June quarter did see a rebound in consumer spending, but thanks to inflation, the growth in dollars spent is outpacing the volume of transactions

Latest Kiwibank household spending data shows that the June quarter did see a rebound in consumer spending, but thanks to inflation, the growth in dollars spent is outpacing the volume of transactions

A third consecutive 50 point rise taking the Official Cash Rate to 2.5% is universally expected. The focus will be on any clues the Reserve Bank gives on what it might do next

A third consecutive 50 point rise taking the Official Cash Rate to 2.5% is universally expected. The focus will be on any clues the Reserve Bank gives on what it might do next

ANZ economists say rising wages and strong savings should prevent consumer spending falling rapidly though they do think consumption growth 'will slow to a crawl' from the second half of the year

ANZ economists say rising wages and strong savings should prevent consumer spending falling rapidly though they do think consumption growth 'will slow to a crawl' from the second half of the year

Sharp falls in job ads in property-related industries see BNZ/SEEK Employment Report record 2.7% fall in overall job adverts last month, down from the record high level in May

Sharp falls in job ads in property-related industries see BNZ/SEEK Employment Report record 2.7% fall in overall job adverts last month, down from the record high level in May

The latest research series from the RBNZ highlights just how urgent it is that we avoid the toxic combination of fast rising population, masses of cheap debt and constrained housing supply in future, David Hargreaves says

The latest research series from the RBNZ highlights just how urgent it is that we avoid the toxic combination of fast rising population, masses of cheap debt and constrained housing supply in future, David Hargreaves says