Articles in ‘Economics’

New Zealand’s business sector is showing increasingly visible signs of strain, with new data revealing a sharp rise in company liquidations across multiple industries, led overwhelmingly by the construction sector. By elocal Report · According to new commentary from Kiwibank economist Alexandra Turcu, annual company liquidations across New Zealand are now running 15% higher year-on-year, with construction firms accounting for by far the…

By Michelle Makori (Transcript Report) · The Federal Reserve has quietly convened a series of urgent, closed-door meetings with the most powerful figures in global finance—developments that have largely gone unnoticed amid broader geopolitical headlines. · According to the transcript, these meetings were called by Fed Chair Jerome Powell and U.S. Treasury leadership to address two emerging risks now considered serious enough to threaten the…

Source: Kiwibank Kiwi Economics Analysis Reference: Latest commentary and financial data · Economic Outlook: Growth Continuing, But Fragile · New analysis from Kiwibank economists highlights a New Zealand economy that is continuing to grow — but under increasingly fragile conditions. · The bank’s economic commentary points to a mixed environment, where signs of recovery are emerging alongside ongoing financial pressure on households and…

World Affairs In Context · Overview · In a wide-ranging and highly critical interview, economist Dr. Steve Hanke delivers a stark assessment of the United States economy, warning that the gap between political rhetoric and economic reality is widening rapidly. · Speaking on the World Affairs and Context podcast, Hanke outlines a system under pressure from inflation, policy missteps, geopolitical conflict, and structural financial instability —…

World Affairs In Context · Middle East War Escalation: Narrative vs Reality · Key Themes · - Growing gap between official Western narratives and on-the-ground reality in Iran - Ongoing military escalation between the US, Israel, and Iran - Increasing risk of a wider regional war · War Reality vs Public Messaging · - Claims of Iran’s military being “destroyed” are disputed - Iran continues launching ballistic missiles and drones daily -…

World Affairs In Context · What if the next financial crisis is already unfolding—hidden in plain sight? · This video exposes the private credit bubble that could trigger the next global meltdown. Born after the 2008 crisis and fueled by regulations like Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act, private credit has exploded into a $3 trillion market—but cracks are forming fast. · With nearly 40% of loans tied to the struggling software sector, and AI…

Recent economic analysis from Kiwibank and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) shows that although the recovery is still in its early stages, the fundamentals are improving — and there are solid reasons to be optimistic. · 1. The Recovery Is Underway — With Supportive Settings · The RBNZ has held the official cash rate (OCR) at 2.25%, maintaining easy monetary conditions to help the economy build momentum. This reflects confidence that…

The state is lecturing its citizens about the supposed danger of their diets, again By Rachel Marsden, a columnist, political strategist, and host of independently produced talk-shows in French and English. https://www.rt.com/op-ed/authors/rachel-marsden/rachelmarsden.com · ©  Getty Images/Rawpixel · Here comes the 1st battalion of desk jockeys to lecture you about your dinner’s carbon footprint. · Daily life in France used…

World Affairs In Context · In this new geopolitical breakdown, we dive into the latest analysis from the European Council on Foreign Relations and unpack what may be a historic turning point in European strategic thinking. · At this year’s Munich Security Conference, the message coming from mainstream European elites is clear: the liberal “rules-based international order” that defined global politics for nearly three decades is structurally…

Auckland, New Zealand — After a challenging 2025, Kiwibank economists are forecasting a marked economic turnaround next year (2026), with signs of recovery emerging across key sectors and confidence rising among households and businesses. 2025: A Difficult Year, But Momentum Building · Economists at Kiwi Bank describe 2025 as a year where the New Zealand economy struggled to gain sustained momentum. Throughout the year, higher interest rates…