The NZCTU actively works with its affiliates to build a high-wage, high-skill, low-carbon economy in which good work is available to all.
For decades, Aotearoa New Zealand has underinvested in our people and infrastructure, and workers have been denied their fair share of economic growth.
The NZCTU’s policy work focuses on how Aotearoa New Zealand can address its major economic challenges of low wages, climate change, and infrastructure, and how we can build a productive economy in which all workers thrive.
Latest Economy News
- Submission on the General Review of the CPTPP
This submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade identifies aspects of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) that need to be addressed as part of… Read More »Submission on the General Review of the CPTPP - Inflation data shows need for a plan on climate and population
Data today shows headline CPI inflation at 4%, continuing the fall begun in March 2023. Rises are concentrated in particular sectors – especially services. This data also shows that that… Read More »Inflation data shows need for a plan on climate and population - Unions deliver MPs petition to stop real terms cuts to the minimum wage
Today a delegation from the union movement delivered a petition of nearly 9,000 people calling on the Government to commit to annual minimum wage increases that keep up with rising… Read More »Unions deliver MPs petition to stop real terms cuts to the minimum wage - Budget Policy Statement still missing in action
The Government has released its Budget Policy Statement today, showing worsening economic forecasts with inflation falling more quickly than expected, caused by unemployment rising and growth stalling. However, the statement… Read More »Budget Policy Statement still missing in action - More questions for the Government’s tax changes as costs grow
The Government should reconsider the delivery of their tax plan, as costs continue to escalate, said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our analysis, using the latest data available from IRD and… Read More »More questions for the Government’s tax changes as costs grow - GDP Numbers make case for change – but not tax cuts
GDP numbers released today show that the economy shrank into a technical recession with the economy declining by -0.1% in the December 2023 quarter, following a -0.3% decline in the… Read More »GDP Numbers make case for change – but not tax cuts
Economic Bulletin
The Economic Bulletin provides a worker’s perspective on the New Zealand economy. In each issue, we analyse the latest economic data, examine trends in the New Zealand economy, and discuss policies that will improve outcomes for working people.
Subscribe to get the Bulletin directly in your email inbox.
"*" indicates required fields
Previous Issues
- Economic Bulletin March 2024Welcome to the March 2024 NZCTU Economic Bulletin. In our monthly feature we look at the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) that the new government released in late March. The role… Read More »Economic Bulletin March 2024
- Economic Bulletin February 2024Welcome to the February 2024 NZCTU Economic Bulletin. In our monthly feature, we compare New Zealand’s economic performance over the COVID-19 period against our performance during and after the global… Read More »Economic Bulletin February 2024
- Economic Bulletin January 2024Welcome to the January edition of the Economic Bulletin. In our monthly feature, we discuss the labour market outlook for the year, setting the forecast rise in unemployment in the… Read More »Economic Bulletin January 2024
- Economic Bulletin December 2023Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Economic Bulletin. In this edition, we unpack the new government’s “Mini Budget”, which was delivered alongside Treasury’s Half-year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU).… Read More »Economic Bulletin December 2023
- Economic Bulletin October/November 2023Welcome to the October/November edition of the Economic Bulletin. In this edition, we publish the CTU President Richard Wagstaff’s address to the 2023 Biennial Conference. Richard sets the gains won… Read More »Economic Bulletin October/November 2023
- Monthly Economic Bulletin – August/September 2023Welcome to the August/September edition of the Economic Bulletin. In this Bulletin, we look at the tax plans that the major parties have put forth this election and discuss what… Read More »Monthly Economic Bulletin – August/September 2023
Budget 23
This is a Budget written in the shadow of an election that will likely define Aotearoa New Zealand for decades to come. It is also a Budget written against the backdrop of inflation, the climate crisis, and other profound challenges for our country.
Budget 2023 shows that the government’s accounts are in a strong position and that our short-term economic position is relatively robust. Much of this Budget is set to ease inflation, with 79% of total costs used just to keep the lights on – against 69% last year and around 50% historically. Government is making some highly targeted investments that will ease cost-of-living pressures, improve living standards for lower-income households, and support science and innovation.
However, government is still hiding behind fiscal indicators instead of delivering the kinds of transformational change that we need. Aotearoa New Zealand should be moving the structural levels of taxation and spending to those we see in the countries that we compare ourselves to.
Policy Topics
