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
Reserve Bank changes its forecasts and now expects house prices to rise from the current quarter, with annual prices showing an increase by March next year
16th Aug 23, 3:50pm
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Reserve Bank changes its forecasts and now expects house prices to rise from the current quarter, with annual prices showing an increase by March next year
Reserve Bank leaves Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.50% but says interest rates need to remain at a restrictive level for some time
16th Aug 23, 2:18pm
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Reserve Bank leaves Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.50% but says interest rates need to remain at a restrictive level for some time
ASB economist Nat Keall says the global dairy market is well supplied in the near-term, 'and it is difficult to see a catalyst for much strengthening in demand'
16th Aug 23, 12:47pm
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ASB economist Nat Keall says the global dairy market is well supplied in the near-term, 'and it is difficult to see a catalyst for much strengthening in demand'
Latest quarterly Reserve Bank figures show that the country's new first home buyer borrowers have just started to stretch themselves a little further again
16th Aug 23, 8:44am
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Latest quarterly Reserve Bank figures show that the country's new first home buyer borrowers have just started to stretch themselves a little further again
[updated]
A survey for the Reserve Bank shows that households think inflation is going to be NEARLY back in the RBNZ's 1% to 3% target range in two years' time, while house prices will rise next year and continue to rise
15th Aug 23, 3:43pm
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A survey for the Reserve Bank shows that households think inflation is going to be NEARLY back in the RBNZ's 1% to 3% target range in two years' time, while house prices will rise next year and continue to rise
Job ads are continuing to decline in the BNZ/SEEK Employment Report - suggesting that the anticipated sharp cooling in the labour market is beginning
15th Aug 23, 11:57am
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Job ads are continuing to decline in the BNZ/SEEK Employment Report - suggesting that the anticipated sharp cooling in the labour market is beginning
While the Reserve Bank's widely expected to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged this week, some experts on NZIER's 'Shadow Board' think higher rates are needed
14th Aug 23, 11:37am
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While the Reserve Bank's widely expected to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged this week, some experts on NZIER's 'Shadow Board' think higher rates are needed
David Hargreaves examines the Reserve Bank's forthcoming OCR review, saying all eyes will be on its updated economic forecasts & whether it has changed its opinion on the path of inflation & interest rates
13th Aug 23, 6:00am
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David Hargreaves examines the Reserve Bank's forthcoming OCR review, saying all eyes will be on its updated economic forecasts & whether it has changed its opinion on the path of inflation & interest rates
[updated]
Influential RBNZ survey shows a slight rise in the expected level of inflation in two years time
9th Aug 23, 3:22pm
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Influential RBNZ survey shows a slight rise in the expected level of inflation in two years time
[updated]
Stats NZ figures show that total card spending fell by 0.9% in July, reversing some of the gains made in June when there was a rush of fuel spending to beat the excise duty rise
9th Aug 23, 11:30am
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Stats NZ figures show that total card spending fell by 0.9% in July, reversing some of the gains made in June when there was a rush of fuel spending to beat the excise duty rise
BNZ economists say economic activity will take 'a noticeable hit' from the expected lower milk price this year
8th Aug 23, 10:47am
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BNZ economists say economic activity will take 'a noticeable hit' from the expected lower milk price this year
Latest Reserve Bank figures show that while one-year fixed mortgage terms remain most popular for new mortgage borrowing, three year terms are surging in popularity
7th Aug 23, 3:52pm
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show that while one-year fixed mortgage terms remain most popular for new mortgage borrowing, three year terms are surging in popularity
Economists at Westpac and ANZ still see the combination of economic resilience and 'sticky' inflation as forcing the Reserve Bank to raise the Official Cash Rate again
7th Aug 23, 1:33pm
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Economists at Westpac and ANZ still see the combination of economic resilience and 'sticky' inflation as forcing the Reserve Bank to raise the Official Cash Rate again
The Reserve Bank is now set fair to 'watch, worry and wait' its way through the election
3rd Aug 23, 8:30am
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The Reserve Bank is now set fair to 'watch, worry and wait' its way through the election
David Hargreaves examines financial statistics for the first six months of the year showing money being 'sucked out' of consumers' pockets both through higher mortgage and deposit rates
2nd Aug 23, 9:11am
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David Hargreaves examines financial statistics for the first six months of the year showing money being 'sucked out' of consumers' pockets both through higher mortgage and deposit rates
Latest Reserve Bank figures show the total of officially 'impaired' housing loans has now surpassed the peak of the sharp, but brief rise during the pandemic in 2020
1st Aug 23, 1:44pm
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show the total of officially 'impaired' housing loans has now surpassed the peak of the sharp, but brief rise during the pandemic in 2020
Latest RBNZ lending figures show the total stock of mortgage borrowing has hit $350 billion for the first time, while the nearly $1.2 billion growth in the 'mortgage pile' last month was the most since November last year
31st Jul 23, 3:59pm
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Latest RBNZ lending figures show the total stock of mortgage borrowing has hit $350 billion for the first time, while the nearly $1.2 billion growth in the 'mortgage pile' last month was the most since November last year
ANZ economists say while the Reserve Bank is banking on the economy 'rolling over' rapidly 'we’re not convinced things are quite that weak'
31st Jul 23, 1:23pm
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ANZ economists say while the Reserve Bank is banking on the economy 'rolling over' rapidly 'we’re not convinced things are quite that weak'
The Reserve Bank expects labour market figures out in the coming week to show rising unemployment. If unemployment doesn't rise - or indeed if it even falls - this will heap more pressure back on our central bank in its inflation fight
30th Jul 23, 6:30am
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The Reserve Bank expects labour market figures out in the coming week to show rising unemployment. If unemployment doesn't rise - or indeed if it even falls - this will heap more pressure back on our central bank in its inflation fight
[updated]
Statistics New Zealand says the cost of living for households rose 7.2% in the year to June 2023, while food prices increased by some 12.7% for the average household
27th Jul 23, 11:16am
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Statistics New Zealand says the cost of living for households rose 7.2% in the year to June 2023, while food prices increased by some 12.7% for the average household
The banks will be hoping this is a year of 'two halves' for new mortgage activity after a start to the year that was the slowest in at least nine years
27th Jul 23, 9:08am
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The banks will be hoping this is a year of 'two halves' for new mortgage activity after a start to the year that was the slowest in at least nine years
Xero says Kiwi small businesses are showing resilience despite weaker sales data consistent with New Zealand being in recession
27th Jul 23, 5:00am
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Xero says Kiwi small businesses are showing resilience despite weaker sales data consistent with New Zealand being in recession
Reserve Bank figures show on a seasonally adjusted basis there may be slight signs of life in the mortgage market; meanwhile the quarterly mortgage interest bill just crashed through $4 billion for the first time
26th Jul 23, 3:41pm
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Reserve Bank figures show on a seasonally adjusted basis there may be slight signs of life in the mortgage market; meanwhile the quarterly mortgage interest bill just crashed through $4 billion for the first time
Fonterra seen as having to lower its milk price forecast soon, as one major bank economist slashes his forecast price by over a dollar
26th Jul 23, 1:13pm
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Fonterra seen as having to lower its milk price forecast soon, as one major bank economist slashes his forecast price by over a dollar
After quarterly inflation figures that contained, in the words of one economist, 'a number of red flags' for the Reserve Bank, upcoming labour market data are seen as key ahead of the RBNZ's next Official Cash Rate decision in August
24th Jul 23, 2:24pm
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After quarterly inflation figures that contained, in the words of one economist, 'a number of red flags' for the Reserve Bank, upcoming labour market data are seen as key ahead of the RBNZ's next Official Cash Rate decision in August