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Nick Brunsdon

Principal Economist, Lead Demographer, Director

Our focused, timely, finger-on-the-pulse insight into how your local economy has performed over the previous quarter with expert commentary from Infometrics’ regional economists and a range of economic indicators.

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter December 2025

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter March 2026

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter June 2026

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter September 2026

Brad Olsen

Chief Executive and Principal Economist

Infometrics December newsletter

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Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter March 2019

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter September 2019

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter December 2019

Rob Heyes

Principal Consultant

In this first Infometrics COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen provides an overview of our thinking on the economic effects of COVID-19, including some regional insights. There is question time at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Regional Focus

In this Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes provide an update of Infometrics’ current view of how the economy will perform during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on some sector-based insights. There is question time at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Sector Focus

In this Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes review how Infometrics sees the economy performing post-COVID-19, and focus on how different groups including Māori will be affected by the economic downturn. There is question time at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Building Forecasts

In this webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes outline where we see the economy heading, how this direction will impact regional areas, and areas of focus as we turn our minds to the recovery post-lockdown. There is question time at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Regions and Recovery

Gareth Kiernan white bg.jpg

Gareth Kiernan

Chief Forecaster, Director

In this webinar, Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen outlines how the economy is shaping up as New Zealand moves closer to Level 3 restrictions. Brad is joined by Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan to discuss the latest Infometrics Forecasts, including an outline of our views on the magnitude of the hit to the New Zealand economy from COVID-19 and what the road to recovery might look like. As well as looking at the key macroeconomic outcomes, Gareth will focus on the outlook for the construction industry and examine the key drivers for activity. Where appropriate, Gareth will also look at variations in prospects at a regional level. There is question time at the end.

Andrew Beattie

Economist

In this webinar, Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen outlines the latest economic developments and highlight some of the change in focus that is expected as New Zealand moves to Alert Level 3. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan and Infometrics Economist Andrew Beattie then discuss how we see the transport sector evolving through the economic downturn and how changing economic behaviours will affect the economy. As always, there’ll be time for questions at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Transport Forecasts

In this Infometrics Webinar, Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes, along with Vario's Luc Shorter, discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to effect Māori, and what options should be considered to ensure Māori are re-engaged in the workforce.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Māori Economic Insights

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter March 2020

In this webinar, Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen breaks down the 2020 Budget, examines some of the key initiatives and discusses what else we can expect from the Government over the next few months. He also provides an update on economic conditions, the Reserve Bank’s latest update, and what a shift from Alert Level 3 to Level 2 means, whenever it occurs. As always, there are questions at the end.

Economic webinar - COVID-19 Weekly Economic Webinar – Budget Review

In our July 2020 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan, Senior Economist Brad Olsen, and Economist Andrew Beattie discuss the latest Infometrics forecasts, pointing out that the economic headwinds that New Zealand will encounter are still building. Some of the fundamental drivers of activity won’t remain as strong as they currently are, with the end of the wage subsidy, and September’s election, likely a turning point for New Zealand’s economic fortunes. They highlight our expectations for the economy over the next five years, alongside some of the key drivers of activity, and a brief examination of the building and transport sectors.

Economic webinar - Forecast discussion

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter June 2020

In our August Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Rob Heyes and Nick Brunsdon discuss New Zealand’s tourism sector, what’s transpired in recent months, and what the future might hold for the sector.

Economic webinar - Tourism in New Zealand

Paul Barkle

Associate Economist

In our September Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economist Rob Heyes and Economist Paul Barkle focus on the unfolding labour market dynamics of the COVID-19 economic downturn. They examine how businesses’ response to the economic downturn is affecting the workforce, the uneven distribution of job losses, and how people’s attachment to the labour market is changing.

Economic webinar - Labour market dynamics

In our October Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan and Senior Economist Brad Olsen detail the latest thinking on New Zealand’s economic performance and what the path ahead looks like. Recent data has confirmed that the economy’s immediate bounce back from the initial COVID-19 lockdown has been better than expected. Labour market indicators, the housing market, construction activity, and household spending have all defied expectations of an immediate and sharp downturn. Gareth and Brad also discuss the 2020 General Election result and what economic implications there are from the result.

Economic webinar - Forecast update and post-election discussion

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter September 2020

Alistair Schorn

Senior Economist

In our November 2020 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Alistair Schorn and Brad Olsen and Economist Andrew Beattie will discuss the latest developments in some of New Zealand’s major international markets, as COVID-19 surges across Europe and North America but news of successful vaccine trials boosts optimism. They detail how trade activity is currently positioned, noting our export performance, import logistics, and what might be ahead for New Zealand’s trade into 2021.

Economic webinar - State of the world and trade

In our February 2021 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes discuss how the labour market is responding to COVID-19, as the unemployment rate falls to 4.9% and some industries show considerable strength. Not all areas and industries are surging ahead, and in the Webinar Brad and Rob profile what is driving some of the differences in the labour market recovery.

Economic webinar - What's driving the labour market recovery?

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter December 2020

In our March 2021 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan and Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Nick Brunsdon discuss the outlook for the housing market and what factors will influence the path ahead, after the Government’s significant housing announcement, speculation the Reserve Bank might introduce further macro-prudential tools to limit investor activity, and as the market continues to see high and accelerating growth. Will the government’s policies change things and if so how, and what more could be done?

Economic webinar - Where to next for housing?

In our April 2021 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan, Senior Economist Alistair Schorn, and Economist Andrew Beattie will discuss our latest report, “Food for thought – export potential from the Top of the South” and highlight some of the prospects for growing exports from Te Tauihu (the Top of the South Island) into new markets. 
Finding new markets for exports is a key strategy for growing our businesses. Diversifying away from single large markets will make our businesses more resilient.

Infometrics, together with international trade experts, has developed an approach to help businesses, industries, and economic development agencies identify markets around the world which offer the greatest potential for growth. The product, Export Market Finder, takes decision making away from gut feel and anecdote to rigorous, evidence-based analysis.

Economic webinar - Export Market Finder: Opportunities for Trade

Quarterly Economic Monitor - Reference Quarter March 2021

In our May 2021 Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Nick Brunsdon, and Economists Andrew Beattie and Paul Barkle, review the Government’s 2021 Budget, what it might mean for the economy, and how the announcements could impact across the country. 
The team will also examine the latest insights from the Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor, and the latest on key topics including migration settings and New Zealand’s trade picture (including supply chain issues), to provide a well-rounded assessment of current conditions.

Economic webinar - Post-Budget Review

In our first Monthly Economic Webinar, Infometrics Senior Economists Brad Olsen and Rob Heyes detail how well the New Zealand economy is performing at Level 1 and what we expect to encounter over the next few months.

Rob and Brad also outline their current thinking about how the economic recovery will play out, and how well the tertiary education system is positioned to support that recovery. As always, there is question time at the end.

Events