Latest publications / Insights (4)

Recession : What are the chances? NZIER Insight 83

Talk that a recession could hit the global and New Zealand economies has ramped up in recent months. We look at some of the warning signs we should watch out for, and the tools available to combat the effects if a recession was to occur. We find that although the New Zealand economy i … Read more

Is the sky falling? NZIER Insight 82

Business confidence has decreased significantly over the last year. What does this tell us about the likely path of economic growth? Can we use this data to predict the next recession? Read more

Using big data and economics to understand and improve wellbeing - NZIER Insight 81

Wellbeing and data are increasingly at the heart of government policy-making. This Insight shows how economic explanations for behaviour, combined with large datasets, can inform policy. Read more

Robbing Peter to pay Paul: Okun's Law and labour market reform - NZIER Insight 80

With teachers striking, and New Zealand's first "Wellbeing Budget" about to be released, Robbing Peter to pay Paul: Okun's Law and labour market reform is a poignant reminder that competitive markets are the "welfare engines" of the economy. Okun's law illustrates how New Zealand's ec … Read more

What our housing conversations no longer say - NZIER Insight 79

New Zealand’s housing conversation has always been a metaphor for different things. Now houses are strictly investments. We have an obsession with them. Using data from DigitalNZ, this Insight looks at how the conversation about housing in New Zealand has changed over time. Read more

Clear as mud? Water is under pressure - NZIER Insight 78

As part of NZIER’s 60th birthday celebrations, the NZIER undertook with its own resources research to further understand New Zealanders concerns about water quality and found that river visibility (water clarity) was most valued by Kiwis. Read more

Hiking prices and tourism funding : Are we on the right track? NZIER Insight 77

As Government prepares to introduce a border levy on incoming tourists and raise charges for foreign hikers on New Zealand’s Great Walks, we examine the reasons given for these measures and what alternative approaches might be taken? Read more

Immigration : doing the right thing for the right reasons - NZIER Insight 76

The new Government's plans to reduce immigration are a welcome first step towards an immigration system that improves New Zealand's wellbeing, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research said today. Read more

Making early intervention work - NZIER Insight 75

It's out with the old and in with the new. National's Social Investment approach is being replaced with a focus on Early Intervention. But the new government's focus should be on using evidence to support timely, if not always early, intervention. The health sector's experience with s … Read more

New government, new monetary policy framework - NZIER Insight 74

With the new Government indicating the Reserve Bank Act would be reviewed, NZIER has published an Insight discussing the alternatives to inflation-targeting in the post-GFC environment. Read more

Subscribe to receive our newsletters