David Hargreaves

David Hargreaves argues that the current push to devolve central government powers to local authorities should not be countenanced - but there's a danger it will be with an election looming

David Hargreaves argues that the current push to devolve central government powers to local authorities should not be countenanced - but there's a danger it will be with an election looming

Westpac economists pare back their economic growth forecasts and now see annual GDP growth of just 2.4% through the first half of this year, however, they reckon house price growth could be even stronger than they previously forecast

Westpac economists pare back their economic growth forecasts and now see annual GDP growth of just 2.4% through the first half of this year, however, they reckon house price growth could be even stronger than they previously forecast

Shareholders vote overwhelmingly in favour of $588 million takeover deal for Westland Co-operative Dairy Company; regulatory hurdles still ahead; NZ First - it's a sad day

Shareholders vote overwhelmingly in favour of $588 million takeover deal for Westland Co-operative Dairy Company; regulatory hurdles still ahead; NZ First - it's a sad day

David Hargreaves thinks the RBNZ should have lost its role as insurance regulator, but since it will be keeping the role, the emphasis needs to be on ensuring it is now better resourced for the job

David Hargreaves thinks the RBNZ should have lost its role as insurance regulator, but since it will be keeping the role, the emphasis needs to be on ensuring it is now better resourced for the job

ANZ's NZ vehicle and asset finance provider subsidiary UDC Finance has reported another rise in interim earnings as it mulls a return of funds to investors later this calendar year

ANZ's NZ vehicle and asset finance provider subsidiary UDC Finance has reported another rise in interim earnings as it mulls a return of funds to investors later this calendar year

NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a net 31% of businesses see deteriorating conditions over the next 12 months; survey results likely to put more downward pressure on outlook for interest rates

NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a net 31% of businesses see deteriorating conditions over the next 12 months; survey results likely to put more downward pressure on outlook for interest rates

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor says the central bank is 'comfortable' with further easing in bank lending restrictions for home buying

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor says the central bank is 'comfortable' with further easing in bank lending restrictions for home buying

In May the first home buyers hit their highest monthly total of borrowing, the highest share of the total advanced - and borrowed more in dollar terms than investors for the first time

In May the first home buyers hit their highest monthly total of borrowing, the highest share of the total advanced - and borrowed more in dollar terms than investors for the first time

ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows considerable improvement in mood in residential construction sector, though the overall construction outlook remains grim

ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows considerable improvement in mood in residential construction sector, though the overall construction outlook remains grim

A season of two halves draws to a close with Fonterra's NZ milk production only just slightly up on the 'weak' figures of a year earlier; forecasts similar volumes for new season

A season of two halves draws to a close with Fonterra's NZ milk production only just slightly up on the 'weak' figures of a year earlier; forecasts similar volumes for new season

IMF cautions the Reserve Bank about any further loosening of the 'speed limits' on high loan to value residential lending; welcomes prospect of introduction of vacant land tax and says Govt could go 'broader'

IMF cautions the Reserve Bank about any further loosening of the 'speed limits' on high loan to value residential lending; welcomes prospect of introduction of vacant land tax and says Govt could go 'broader'

OECD report notes lack of success of KiwiBuild programme and says Govt should focus more on low-income renters

OECD report notes lack of success of KiwiBuild programme and says Govt should focus more on low-income renters

David Hargreaves says Facebook's pre-emptive strike with a global cryptocurrency has given huge urgency to the whole question of what happens after cash

David Hargreaves says Facebook's pre-emptive strike with a global cryptocurrency has given huge urgency to the whole question of what happens after cash

BNZ economists say there is now a 'solid risk' the Reserve Bank might cut the Official Cash Rate as early as Wednesday; Kiwibank economists also say that's a possibility

BNZ economists say there is now a 'solid risk' the Reserve Bank might cut the Official Cash Rate as early as Wednesday; Kiwibank economists also say that's a possibility

ASB economists say restrictions on non-resident house buying in NZ are 'biting' and this supports the ASB view that there will only be a 'modest' pick-up in house prices in the second half of this year

ASB economists say restrictions on non-resident house buying in NZ are 'biting' and this supports the ASB view that there will only be a 'modest' pick-up in house prices in the second half of this year

Former RBNZ chairman Arthur Grimes suggests the central bank might want to consider reversing the interest rate cut it made a month ago

Former RBNZ chairman Arthur Grimes suggests the central bank might want to consider reversing the interest rate cut it made a month ago

Interest rates around the world drop sharply - many to record lows - after the US Federal Reserve signals strongly toward a future interest rate cut

Interest rates around the world drop sharply - many to record lows - after the US Federal Reserve signals strongly toward a future interest rate cut

Reserve Bank has an 'open mind' on the new cryptocurrency being launched by Facebook, but says safeguards and 'how much protection society wants' need to be considered

Reserve Bank has an 'open mind' on the new cryptocurrency being launched by Facebook, but says safeguards and 'how much protection society wants' need to be considered

New Reserve Bank paper says with the declining use of cash, Kiwis already 'left out' of the banking or digital worlds may be 'severely disadvantaged'

New Reserve Bank paper says with the declining use of cash, Kiwis already 'left out' of the banking or digital worlds may be 'severely disadvantaged'

IRD now says over half a million kiwis in schemes such as Kiwisaver were on the wrong tax rate and will collectively be billed a total of between $45-50 million

IRD now says over half a million kiwis in schemes such as Kiwisaver were on the wrong tax rate and will collectively be billed a total of between $45-50 million

Property information and analytics company CoreLogic believes the Reserve Bank will further loosen the loan to valuation ratio rules, which may include lower deposit limits for owner-occupiers

Property information and analytics company CoreLogic believes the Reserve Bank will further loosen the loan to valuation ratio rules, which may include lower deposit limits for owner-occupiers

ANZ economists highlight their preferred option if the Reserve Bank decides to take monetary policy beyond merely dropping the Official Cash Rate; but the ANZ economists stress that any unconventional monetary policy is risky

ANZ economists highlight their preferred option if the Reserve Bank decides to take monetary policy beyond merely dropping the Official Cash Rate; but the ANZ economists stress that any unconventional monetary policy is risky

The National Party is proposing a new Primary Sector Visa for migrant labour, as well as an expansion of the existing seasonal work scheme and expansion of working holiday visas

The National Party is proposing a new Primary Sector Visa for migrant labour, as well as an expansion of the existing seasonal work scheme and expansion of working holiday visas

David Hargreaves ponders the country's mountain of weighty mortgages, which, paradoxically, keep getting lighter and more affordable thanks to disappearing interest rates

David Hargreaves ponders the country's mountain of weighty mortgages, which, paradoxically, keep getting lighter and more affordable thanks to disappearing interest rates

Government announces Brian Roche as new chairman of NZ Transport Agency for a three year term

Government announces Brian Roche as new chairman of NZ Transport Agency for a three year term