NZ Economy: Good News On The Financial Front- But Also A Warning
May 27th, 2010
The Govt had some good news to savour on the eve of the budget. First there was an indication the dairy payout in 2011 …
Archive for May, 2010
NZ Foreign Policy: NZ Gets Access To Top Level Intelligence
May 27th, 2010
Senior Ministers have confirmed the Key Govt has returned NZ to the top levels of the US and UK primary intelligence systems. Not for …
Political Leadership: Key Shows The Steel In His Leadership
May 26th, 2010
John Key has often baffled his opponents, and even commentators, with his style of leadership. Nothing ever seems to faze him. Critics who would …
Budget Special 2010
May 20th, 2010
Building the Recovery
Tax Reform Biggest In 25 Years
“We owe it to hard-working Kiwi families to provide them with the financial security, opportunities …
Govt Draws Line In Sand – Gets Broadside From Turia
May 19th, 2010
The Dominion Post’s warning “Key must allay Kiwis’ unease,” reverberated round the Beehive. It reinforced what National’s strategists have already been telling Ministers. Anxiety …
Closing Tax Loopholes Essential Element Of Reform
May 14th, 2010
Another salient issue is how Bill English will deliver on his undertaking to align taxation income more closely with economic income, and on the …
Budget Will Be A Litmus Test Of Government’s Commitment
May 14th, 2010
Budget 2010 will be a real litmus test of the Govt’s commitment to use the tax system to achieve some of its transformational objectives. …
International Turmoils Gives English A Fiscal Break
May 14th, 2010
The international turmoil triggered by Greece’s debt crisis has, in a sense, made Finance Minister Bill English’s task easier. The Govt has already proved …
Economic Debate – When To Lift Interest Rates
May 13th, 2010
The Reserve Bank of Australia again has raised its benchmark interest rate (this time to 4.5%), saying inflation will move into the top half …
NZ Foreign Policy: Key Cops Flak For Gulf Mission Miscue
May 13th, 2010
John Key’s decision to abandon his Gulf mission to return for the funerals of RNZAF personnel killed in the ANZAC Day helicopter tragedy is …
NZ Defence Policy: NZ’s Afghan Commitment To Wind Down Before Election
May 12th, 2010
NZ’s military commitment in Afghanistan will be wound down well before next year’s election. Cabinet is unlikely to deviate from this decision, despite pressure …
Hold Down Inflation, Or Choke Recovery?
May 10th, 2010
NZ’s economic recovery remains fragile, despite the commodity export boom (the ANZ says its NZD Commodity Price Index hit a new record high in …
Govt To Turn Around State Sector Spending
May 10th, 2010
The Budget is all but locked down, and Finance Minister Bill English concedes he is “happy” with the way major departments have buckled down …
English’s Budget To Tilt Economic Dynamics
May 10th, 2010
In the budget next month Bill English may have to exercise the skill of a Jeremy Clarkson in driving the economy, putting his foot …
Early Signs Economy Is Shifting Its Focus
May 10th, 2010
In the GDP figures for December, the Govt sees some early signs of the shift in the NZ economy it wants. A shift it …
Budget To Blow Away Economic Uncertainty
May 10th, 2010
AXA chief economist Bevan Graham says “we could look back on this year as the dawning of new age of prosperity, if the risks …
Tax Changes Fiscally Neutral – But Will It Damage Growth?
May 10th, 2010
The Govt is insisting its tax package will be fiscally “neutral,” and at the same time, taxpayers will be better off, even after GST …
Economic Debate – What’s Best For Drinkers?
May 6th, 2010
The Govt quickly ruled out the likelihood of raising liquor excises, a key Law Commission proposal for reducing the harm from alcohol. It thus …
NZ Economy: Key Govt Strides Towards Economic Transformation
May 6th, 2010
Without much fanfare, some significant progress is being chalked up in re-balancing the economy, turning it from debt-fuelled consumption excess to export-led expansion, and …
NZ Economy: Returns From Dairy, Log Exports Booming
May 5th, 2010
In boosting the milk payout to its second highest level on record, Fonterra told farmers to expect much the same again next year. In-hand …
Duncan Cotterill