Construction productivity : an evidence base for research and policy issues
November 12, 2013
A report for the Building and Construction Sector Productivity Partnership. Read more
Fighting fit? Assessing New Zealand's fiscal sustainability
October 24, 2013
New Zealand faces a huge fiscal cost from an ageing population so we need to start making tough fiscal decisions now. We have the room to make adjustments and history shows our politicians do respond to increases in debt by adjusting taxes or spending. The sooner changes are made, the … Read more
NZ petrol prices reflect input costs not gouging - NZIER Insight 43
August 6, 2013
Often motorists complain that petrol companies are quick to raise petrol prices at the pump but then conspire to drop prices slowly when international oil prices fall. Like in any efficient market, changes in the cost of oil - both up and down - should be passed on to consumers rapidl … Read more
Should a board set interest rates? Not if it compromises monetary policy objectives - NZIER Insight 42
June 24, 2013
The Greens' idea to use the Reserve Bank Board to make monetary policy might improve decision-making but using a board designed to represent industry, risks compromising the Reserve Bank's independence and the goals of monetary policy. Read more
Appraising transport strategies that induce land use changes : estimating benefits of long-term land use change from standard transport model outputs
June 10, 2013
This paper develops a cost-benefit appraisal (CBA) methodology to apply to infrastructure strategies that are expected to induce long-run change to land use, population and economic activity ('land use' for short). Read more
Valuing natural assets : essential for decision making
May 22, 2013
Decisions over whether or not to allow development of natural resources can have a major impact on peoples' lives. For some, a new development means job prospects and a higher standard of living. For others it means pollution, loss of native wildlife and a lower standard of living. Re … Read more
Hi ho silver lining? What firms need to think about as New Zealand ages
March 26, 2013
As the population ages, a number of economic trends will emerge that put pressure on profits. On the cost side, an increase in competition for skilled workers will push wages up. Revenue will also be affected as demand shifts in favour of products that older people use and consume. Th … Read more
NZ is no Greece or Italy, but needs to face up to long term issues - NZIER Insight 41
March 22, 2013
Like much of the world, New Zealand's economy is still feeling the lingering consequences of the global financial crisis and the hang-over of its own asset price bubble. The economy is recovering slowly. In the last few years, households have spent cautiously and paid down mortgages. … Read more
Golden years? The impacts of New Zealand's ageing on wages, interest rates, wealth and macroeconomy
March 1, 2013
New Zealand is ageing. The number of old people will increase three-fold and will soon comprise a very large segment of society. Ageing will shrink the labour supply relative to the size of the population and the existing supply of capital. That has implications for wages and interest … Read more
The host with the most? Rethinking the costs and benefits of hosting major events - NZIER Insight 40
October 30, 2012
Hosting large events like the Rugby World Cup are expensive undertakings. That makes value-for-money evaluation critical. But most impact event analysis doesn't stack up, missing displacement effects. It means benefits are often far smaller than people think. Read more