Dominick Stephens
Wellbeing in NZ: better if you're older
If you're over 65, New Zealand is a good place to be but it's a different story if you're under 25, according to new research. On average, younger Kiwis are more lonely and less wealthy than their… Audio
Minister warns immigration won't return to pre-pandemic levels
New Zealand won't be throwing open its doors to the large numbers of new migrants seen in recent years, once it's ready to open the border.
Covid-19 has brought net migration to a screeching halt… Audio
Reserve Bank must now take house prices into account
The Government has decreed the Reserve Bank will now have to take house prices into account when making its decisions.
The Finance Minister, Grant Robertson, suggested this course of action last… Audio
Will a recession stop the runaway housing market?
New Zealand looks set for another recession this year - but the housing market will remain hot, Westpac's economists say. Chief economist Dominick Stephens joins The Panel to discuss. Audio
Business News for 16 February 2020
News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio
New Zealand ends 2020 with surprise unemployment drop
A boom in construction jobs appears to have fuelled a surprise fall in the unemployment rate. Quarterly data from Statistics New Zealand show the rate dropped from 5.3 percent to 4.9 percent. The… Audio
NZ faces the reality of climate change
New Zealand responds to the Government's climate emergency declaration as the secretary general of the United Nations has warned today that the planet is broken and humanity is waging a "suicidal" war… Audio
Critics pick holes in government plea to Reserve Bank
Critics have been quick to pick holes in the Government's surprise plea for the Reserve Bank to help cool the rampant housing market.
The Bank's Governor has told the Finance Minister it already… Audio
Westpac economist on political stoush involving Reserve Bank
The National Party says the government should rein in the Reserve Bank's plans to funnel $28 billion dollars into the financial system.
Their argument is that much of that money will likely benefit… Audio
Reserve Bank caught off guard by house price boom - economist
The house price boom caught the Reserve Bank off guard - forcing it to consider bringing back loan-to value ratio restrictions on lending.
That's the opinion of one economist, as the RBNZ signals the… Audio
Covid-19: Little known about how long returning Kiwis will stay
Leaving for overseas has been a rite of passage for young New Zealanders for decades, but Covid-19 has prompted thousands of migratory Kiwis to return.
However, beyond the raw numbers, little is… Audio
Economist explains Funding for Lending as Reserve Bank considers programme
The Reserve Bank is considering a new Funding for Lending programme to encourage lower interest rates on loans for New Zealanders.
The scheme is part of a number of measures designed to protect the… Audio
House prices defy expectations and hold steady
Property prices are holding their own as various Covid support measures, low interest rates and a lack of listings underpin the market.
Corelogic's house price index was down just zero-point-two in… Audio
No region's economy will be unscathed by pandemic - report
In its latest regional roundup, Westpac says the Covid-19 pandemic will be a great leveller, with no region coming out unscathed.
Every region in the country is forecast to be heading for a deep… Audio
Business News for 16 June 2020
News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio
Coronavirus: Anecdotes on show at Epidemic Response Committee
Government ministers arrived all but empty-handed when they fronted the country's online equivalent of Question Time yesterday.
Small Business Minister Stuart Nash, Employment Minister Willie Jackson… Audio
Business News for 23 March 2020
News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio
Reserve Bank announcements
The Reserve Bank has announce a broad range of measures to keep money flowing to banks on to businesses and households. Audio