Getting real on a tax-free threshold - NZIER Insight 24
January 28, 2011
Labour's proposed tax-free threshold for the first $5,000 of wages and removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables will cost around $1.7 billion in the first year. This is to be funded by raising the top tax rate for high income earners. From an economic perspective, these proposals … Read more
High food prices will harm the New Zealand economy - NZIER Insight 23
January 27, 2011
Booming foreign demand and adverse weather conditions have led to a significant increase in global food prices. In this Insight, NZIER models the impacts of high food prices on New Zealand and finds that it's not good news for Kiwis. The article also discusses policy implications as w … Read more
Top 10 tunes suggest slow beat for economy into 2011 - NZIER Insight 22
December 24, 2010
The bands fighting it out for the coveted Christmas No.1 are in tune with the latest forecasts for the economy When we have less money to spend, we not only buy less music, but it seems we also buy different types of music. A recent study of pop music preferences over the past 501 yea … Read more
New Zealand-Russia FTA : Another BRIIC in the wall - NZIER Insight 21
November 16, 2010
The Prime Minister and Trade Minister have announced that New Zealand will be entering free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (RBK) with the aim of concluding talks in 2012. NZIER modelling indicates the FTA will deliver gains of around $27 million … Read more
Flight of the Kiwi : Kiwis fly to Australia in search of a better nest - NZIER Insight 20
November 3, 2010
The continuous flow of Kiwis to Australia is closely linked to Australia’s economic performance. The big difference in income between Australia and New Zealand is likely to be a major factor. Life style factors and incomes in New Zealand are still appealing enough to attract a healthy … Read more
Realistic valuations of our clean green assets - NZIER Insight 19
October 15, 2010
Would you pay over $300 to ensure native birds remain at a single lake, even if you lived far away? Maybe, or maybe not. But recent debates on mining and hydro-power developments show comparing the benefit of different uses of environmental assets is both difficult and controversial. … Read more
Tax relief, but Aussies still earn more - NZIER Insight 18
September 30, 2010
Personal tax cuts from 1 October 2010 will boost take home pay for New Zealand workers. NZIER has updated its personal tax calculators to allow comparison with Australia. New Zealand’s new personal tax regime is less onerous for high income earners than Australia’s. But as Australia’s … Read more
In defence of foreign investment - NZIER Insight 17
August 10, 2010
Globalisation does not rest easily with all. Recent public and political outcries over foreign investment in our farms and manufacturing plants attest to this. A recent TV3 poll indicates that over three-quarters of Kiwis want overseas investment rules tightened, and the Prime Ministe … Read more
Fix flawed values of statistical life and life years to get better policy outcomes - NZIER Insight 16
June 16, 2010
When taxpayers' money is spent on health and safety measures in transport and healthcare services, the decisions made implicitly or explicitly place values on saving lives and casualties. In recent years there has been a move towards using standard measures of these values so that the … Read more
To mine or not to mine … - NZIER Insight 15
March 29, 2010
The government’s proposal to remove 7,058 hectares of land from Schedule 4 restrictions on mining under the Crown Minerals Act, and to investigate further mineral resources on conservation land stirred a strong public response. It pitches the tangible potential gains of mining against … Read more