David Hargreaves

Westpac NZ annual cash earnings rise 5%, statutory earnings up 3% to $936 mln, three-year business transformation programme yielding benefits

Westpac NZ annual cash earnings rise 5%, statutory earnings up 3% to $936 mln, three-year business transformation programme yielding benefits

A new 'streamlined' system of prudential supervision covering both banks and non-bank deposit takers is strongly suggested in the consultation document for next stage of Reserve Bank Act

A new 'streamlined' system of prudential supervision covering both banks and non-bank deposit takers is strongly suggested in the consultation document for next stage of Reserve Bank Act

Consultation document for next stage of Reserve Bank Act review gives clear signals that some form of formal protection for bank depositors is likely to be introduced

Consultation document for next stage of Reserve Bank Act review gives clear signals that some form of formal protection for bank depositors is likely to be introduced

Latest Reserve Bank monthly figures show declines in the rate of annual borrowing growth across the personal, housing, business and agricultural sectors

Latest Reserve Bank monthly figures show declines in the rate of annual borrowing growth across the personal, housing, business and agricultural sectors

ANZ's latest Business Outlook Survey shows shows sharp drop in intentions to construct in both residential and commercial sectors; ANZ Chief Economist says next official interest rate move is more likely to be a cut than a hike

ANZ's latest Business Outlook Survey shows shows sharp drop in intentions to construct in both residential and commercial sectors; ANZ Chief Economist says next official interest rate move is more likely to be a cut than a hike

Two and a half years after putting NZ finance subsidiary UDC on the block, ANZ says it's 'putting on hold' all sale discussions

Two and a half years after putting NZ finance subsidiary UDC on the block, ANZ says it's 'putting on hold' all sale discussions

ANZ economists believe the RBNZ will further relax the mortgage lending restrictions next month, though not by much; they see a 'neutral level' of low deposit loans being about 15%-20% of banks' lending

ANZ economists believe the RBNZ will further relax the mortgage lending restrictions next month, though not by much; they see a 'neutral level' of low deposit loans being about 15%-20% of banks' lending

National Finance Spokesperson Amy Adams says the Government's planned reforms could undermine the Reserve Bank and turn it into a political tool

National Finance Spokesperson Amy Adams says the Government's planned reforms could undermine the Reserve Bank and turn it into a political tool

David Hargreaves suggests that if we want to get something positive out of this week's National Party meltdown, we should urgently consider changes to the way our political parties are funded

David Hargreaves suggests that if we want to get something positive out of this week's National Party meltdown, we should urgently consider changes to the way our political parties are funded

Treasury head Gabriel Maklouf says providing the new Government with advice on complex issues 'had an impact on the quality of what we could deliver' and also had an impact on the wellbeing of Treasury staff

Treasury head Gabriel Maklouf says providing the new Government with advice on complex issues 'had an impact on the quality of what we could deliver' and also had an impact on the wellbeing of Treasury staff

ASB economists now see a milk price for this season of $6.25 per kilogram of milk solids, down from a previous forecast of $6.50; see farmer net earnings as about $240 million lower

ASB economists now see a milk price for this season of $6.25 per kilogram of milk solids, down from a previous forecast of $6.50; see farmer net earnings as about $240 million lower

David Hargreaves says the NZ Super Fund's warning that we must not 'lose our nerve' in the face of short-term investment losses needs to be taken to heart by a nation still struggling to understand risk, reward and diversification

David Hargreaves says the NZ Super Fund's warning that we must not 'lose our nerve' in the face of short-term investment losses needs to be taken to heart by a nation still struggling to understand risk, reward and diversification

Stats NZ says prices rose 0.9% in the September quarter, giving an annual inflation rate of 1.9%; economists expected just a 0.7% quarterly rise

Stats NZ says prices rose 0.9% in the September quarter, giving an annual inflation rate of 1.9%; economists expected just a 0.7% quarterly rise

We face the apparently contradictory situation in which inflation is strongly rising and yet the Reserve Bank will keep the possibility of interest rate cuts on the table

We face the apparently contradictory situation in which inflation is strongly rising and yet the Reserve Bank will keep the possibility of interest rate cuts on the table

There's some expectation the Reserve Bank might loosen mortgage lending restrictions next month - but the 'evidence' either supportive or against such a move is is not definitive

There's some expectation the Reserve Bank might loosen mortgage lending restrictions next month - but the 'evidence' either supportive or against such a move is is not definitive

Guardians of NZ Super say 'from peak to trough' the Fund would lose over half its value in a global financial crisis - but they estimate the losses could be recouped within 20 months

Guardians of NZ Super say 'from peak to trough' the Fund would lose over half its value in a global financial crisis - but they estimate the losses could be recouped within 20 months

Fonterra says it's now forecasting a milk price for farmers this season of between $6.25 and $6.50 per kilogram of milk solids, down from its previous forecast of $6.75

Fonterra says it's now forecasting a milk price for farmers this season of between $6.25 and $6.50 per kilogram of milk solids, down from its previous forecast of $6.75

David Hargreaves ponders where the turbulent forces of a falling dollar, rising fuel prices and falling business confidence may take us

David Hargreaves ponders where the turbulent forces of a falling dollar, rising fuel prices and falling business confidence may take us

A discussion document has been released for consultation on the proposed independent infrastructure agency through which it is planned to lift the quality of infrastructure investment in New Zealand

A discussion document has been released for consultation on the proposed independent infrastructure agency through which it is planned to lift the quality of infrastructure investment in New Zealand

Ratings agency Moody's says the financial performance of our banks will continue to compare favourably with peers in other countries over the next 12-18 months despite slower credit growth and rising wholesale funding costs

Ratings agency Moody's says the financial performance of our banks will continue to compare favourably with peers in other countries over the next 12-18 months despite slower credit growth and rising wholesale funding costs

Economists say milk production levels this season will be crucial, with the strong start already putting pressure on prices

Economists say milk production levels this season will be crucial, with the strong start already putting pressure on prices

David Hargreaves ponders whether the bottoming levels of business confidence are really pointing to a substantial economic slowdown

David Hargreaves ponders whether the bottoming levels of business confidence are really pointing to a substantial economic slowdown

Latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows worst level of business confidence since March 2009

Latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows worst level of business confidence since March 2009

ANZ economists expect slower but still substantial population growth through migration, but say if there is a more rapid slowdown, economic growth could slow markedly

ANZ economists expect slower but still substantial population growth through migration, but say if there is a more rapid slowdown, economic growth could slow markedly

The owner of 'No Stress Decorators' has been sentenced to 26 months in prison after failing to file any tax returns

The owner of 'No Stress Decorators' has been sentenced to 26 months in prison after failing to file any tax returns