Economy Press Releases

Philip York, Federated Farmers economic spokesperson welcomes the bright picture for the medium term that is portrayed by the latest Situation and Outlook for New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry, or SONZAF.

John Key has stated that Budget 2011 will include changes to KiwiSaver, Working for Families, and student loans to ensure they remain affordable in the future. Budget 2011 will ensure growth is built on the foundation of savings, exports and productive investment.

Overall activity in the service sector for the first month of 2011 displayed a fairly lacklustre beginning, while the newly established Combined Index shows a similar pattern to the end of 2010, according to the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index (PSI).

The Government has extended the full range of support the New Zealand Export Credit Office provides to exporters for another three years, Finance Minister Bill English says.

October saw little change from September regarding activity in manufacturing, as the sector remains fairly static and still not quite able to get into expansionary territory, according to the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

September saw little change from August regarding activity in manufacturing, as the sector remains flat and unable to expand, according to the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp opened the new Applied Powder Metallurgy Centre at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, stating that it is a key piece of infrastructure for the titanium industry and will enable New Zealand to gain a competitive advantage in an emerging technology.

Changes to New Zealand’s company tax rate will make our country more competitive internationally, Finance Minister Bill English claims.

Increases in support for research, science and technology in Budget 2010.

The Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman says the government should follow Australia’s lead and tighten foreign investment rules around housing.

Ministry of Education figures show an increase in international fee-paying student enrolments.

Otago Forward have produced an economic analysis of Otago in a new report.