EconBulletin

In political terms this was a Shuffle Budget. Rather than redistribute to those who most needed it from those who could afford it, the Budget… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-168-May-2015

Many people will be thinking about the effect of GST on the cost of living. The following must be somewhat speculative as the government has… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-111-March-2010

Is the recession over? We’re on the way, many economists say. The government gives mixed messages – John Key emphasises things are improving; Bill English… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-110-February-2010

The Tax Working Group (TWG) report which was made public this month has been widely discussed. There are some positive aspects of its recommendations, and… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-109-January-2010

Despite economic growth in production per hour worked which peaked at 4.7 percent in dollar terms in the year to June 2014, wage rises have… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-173-October-2015

Overseas investment is frequently controversial. When multinational corporations misbehave or try to influence governments (including in treaties like the TPPA) they attract odium. Land sales… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-172-September-2015

This looks at the latest data on collective employment agreements, showing again that people who are part of a collective do better in pay rises,… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-171-August-2015

This reports some interesting new research from the 2015 New Zealand Association of Economists conference at the beginning of this month.

Peter Conway died on 9 June after a serious depressive illness. He was CTU economist before me, and he was my boss and colleague as… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-169-June-2015

If there is a single theme that has run through the history of the labour movement it is fairness, including a dislike of high levels… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-104-July-2009

The news last week that the economy’s output (GDP) had fallen by 1.0 percent in the three months to March sends shivers down the spine.… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-103-June-2009

So, what to think about the Budget. This was never going to be an easy one in the midst of economic and financial crisis. Whoever… Read More »CTU-Monthly-Economic-Bulletin-102-May-2009