Nick Tuffley
Strong house prices drive down buying sentiment
More people think it's a bad time to buy a house, despite expectations of lower interest rates and prices. Audio
NZD down nearly one cent against the US dollar
Slow wage growth has some economists picking the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates sooner rather than later. Audio
Rate of unemployment is unchanged at 5.8%
The number of people in jobs has hit a record, but the market has been surprised by weaker-than-expected wage growth. Audio
Canterbury economic activity continues to grow
High levels of consumer confidence and population growth are contributing to a lift in Canterbury economic activity. Audio
Economic growth lopsided
The economy is expected to expand at just above three percent but growth is lopsided. Audio
RBNZ more likely to cut rates, not hike.
The Reserve Bank says it's prepared to cut interest rates if there are signs demand is weakening, as it keeps a watchful eye on near-zero inflation. Audio
Chances of rate cut slim, despite record low inflation
Most economists say the chances interest rates will be cut are low, despite inflation sliding to its weakest rate in 15 years. Audio
Inflation will hit bottom in Q1
Cheaper petrol is likely to have driven down the cost of living in the first three months of this year. Audio
Reserve Bank to tackle houses again?
An economist says the Reserve Bank may have to open its tool box yet again to counter what he's picking will be another 10 percent rise in Auckland house prices this year. Audio
RBNZ's decision to leave OCR in line with market expectations
Most economists hadn't expected any change. The chief economist at ASB' Bank, Nick Tuffley, says the central bank is clearly in a holding pattern. Audio
Terms of trade fall
New Zealand's purchasing power with the rest of the world has been dragged down by the slump in dairy prices. Audio
Plunging petrol prices drive up retail sales
People are spending more at the shops thanks to plunging petrol prices and falling interest rates. Audio
Skill shortages constrain Canterbury rebuild
Competition with the booming Auckland housing market, is likely to constrain progress in the Canterbury rebuild, this year. Audio
Economists watch for signs of the Reserve Bank moving
More and more economists believe the next time the Reserve Bank raises interest rates is so far in the future that it's pointless to forecast when that will be. Audio
Inflation declines in the December quarter
Inflation's fallen and is expected to tumble even further in the next three months, keeping interest rates steady. A big factor is falling fuel costs, with one economist estimating the savings drivers… Audio
Consumer prices expected to rise only slightly or even fall
New figures out today are expected to show inflation slowed even further at the end of last year - or that consumer prices even fell. Audio
NZ dollar picked to fall further in 2015
The latest survey from ASB confirms the feeling among businesses that it's all downhill from here for the New Zealand dollar. Audio
Heating housing market means a conundrum for Reserve Bank
Proof that the housing market is heating up presents the Reserve Bank governor with a conundrum: there's little inflation elsewhere, so raising interest rates isn't the answer. Audio
New Zealanders spend more on hospitality as fuel prices fall
A significant fall in the price of fuel is giving New Zealander's more to spend on other things. Audio
Card data indicates consumers are spending within their means
The total value of electronic card spending fell 0.3 percent in November, while core retail spending rose 0.3 percent. Audio
