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greatest hits
Infometrics' Greatest Hits collects our economic articles on a single page. Articles that are more than six months old are generally available to the public free of charge.
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Time to value hard work again 15/08/2008 (130 views)National’s plans for the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) have drawn a predictable response from the far left, while others have hailed the changes as well overdue. The DBP has always run a fine line between making solo-mum an attractive career choice and providing reasonable assistance to those in genuine need. More workers mean more money to go around and working towards financial independence can be very empowering for a person. Although most people do see handouts as a temporary last resort, we need to avoid having a welfare system that encourages dependence.
Is New Zealand bankrupt? 8/08/2008 (220 views)New Zealand is an indebted nation that persistently runs current account deficits. This raises the questions, what is a current account deficit and should we be concerned about it?
How far does our dollar go in Europe 1/08/2008 (142 views)Purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates are the rates of currency conversion that eliminate the differences in price levels between countries. In other words, the exchange rate that would convert the buying power of NZ$100 in New Zealand to the same buying power in another country.
Meeting Asia’s appetite 25/07/2008 (126 views) The rise and rise of commodity prices reflects an economic revolution occurring in New Zealand’s backyard. The breadth of this commodity boom is impressive and is being driven by two fundamental forces – population and income growth. That suggests that high commodity prices may persist for several more years, and possibly even a decade or two. In some cases the lift in prices could be permanent.
Competing for the world's best talent 18/07/2008 (151 views)Almost 600 New Zealand taxi drivers were degree qualified in 2006. Many would be immigrants who came to our shores with high hopes of using their qualifications to start a new and better life for themselves and their families. These dreams are often not realized as new migrants find their qualifications and experience do not quite match what Kiwi employers were after.
Retirement beckons for Cullen fund 11/07/2008 (168 views)The vanishing surpluses in Michael Cullen’s 2008 Budget have not only scuttled his reputation for fiscal conservatism, but also sounded the death knell for one of Cullen’s key policy legacies – the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.
Railroaded 3/07/2008 (175 views)For a mere $708m (or about $165 each) we all took proud ownership this week of one slightly used rail and ferry network. Add to this cheque, the money needed for track maintenance and upgrades of rolling stock and the public investment will be well in excess of $1 bn.
Reserve Bank has too much room to wriggle 27/06/2008 (145 views)One of the disconcerting factors in the
Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement released earlier this month was the
inclusion of forecasts for inflation excluding the effects of food and energy
prices. Price rises from these two sources are responsible for more than half
of the lift in the CPI over the last year, so if we exclude these components,
inflation looks much more respectable at just 1.6%pa.
The same bloody problem 20/06/2008 (311 views)Every few weeks, a post-card from the blood service is added to my recycling pile. I’m reminded of the constant need and the significant impact my selfless act could have on the lives of others. As well as the other excuses I could make, some of my past experiences giving blood have been less than enjoyable. But there is one thing that would encourage more people to give blood, the right incentives.
Inflation targeting: What's the point? 13/06/2008 (199 views)Following the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement earlier this month, some economists are questioning the need for the Bank to maintain a strict inflation target. Some have gone so far as to say that inflation targeting has failed to improve New Zealand’s economic wellbeing and should be done away with altogether. Such attitudes are scary – inflation targeting by a credible central bank is a vital part of sound economic management.
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