by Warren Head | Sep 2, 2026 | Economy, Latest News, Money Market
The Monetary Policy Committee today reached consensus to increase the OCR by 25 basis points to 2.75%. Inflation increased to 4.1% in the June quarter because of higher fuel prices arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Core inflation, expected wage growth, and...
by Warren Head | Aug 10, 2026 | Economy, Property
10.8.26 The New Zealand housing market remains in the doldrums. And there appears little respite ahead, says BNZ Markets. BNZ head of strategy Stephen Toplis says this is due to a combination of: inflationary pressure on real disposable incomes; rising unemployment;...
by Warren Head | Jul 21, 2026 | Economy, Latest News
21.7.26 Consumer prices rose 1.5% in the June quarter, taking the annual inflation rate rise to 4.1%. The result was in line with Westpac’s forecast but slightly above the RBNZ's July assumption for 3.9% annual inflation. “However, much of that surprise is likely...
by Warren Head | Jul 8, 2026 | Economy, Latest News, Money Market
8.7.26 The Reserve Bank lifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) 25bp to 2.50% today. The the decision was reached by consensus among the members of the Monetary Policy Committee. Banking economists had been at variance leading up the decision. The BNZ commented at the...
by Warren Head | Jul 6, 2026 | Economy, Latest News
6.7.26 It has been an uncertain time – and still is – but extremely high oil prices now look to be behind us, says ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley in launching the bank’s latest quarterly economic outlook. “It would only take one “Orange Swan” event to unravel this...
by Warren Head | Jun 27, 2026 | Economy
27.6.26 Beef prices are rising again at the farmgate, after the briefest of seasonal lulls and retail prices have been making local headlines. Prices should be seasonally weak right now as processing volumes peak, but they aren’t., noted ANZ agri economist Matt Dilly...
