Instead of entering a short phrase such as “dentist in Wellington” and working through a list of websites, consumers can now ask AI tools detailed questions describing exactly what they need. The AI may then narrow the options and recommend only a few businesses. This emerging approach is increasingly being…

The figures indicate that 83 per cent of New Zealand exports are affected by non-tariff barriers. Exported products reportedly encounter an average of nine separate obstacles across the markets in which they are sold. While these requirements may appear minor, their combined cost can become substantial. The issue is important…

Sales volumes and property prices eased over recent months. This suggests buyers and sellers are becoming more cautious. While the housing market has remained active, conditions have shifted in favour of buyers as more properties remain available for sale. A key theme is the reduced participation of investors. Economists believe…

Military tensions in the Middle East pose risks to global energy supplies. However, softer-than-expected inflation data from the US has reduced expectations for further aggressive interest rate increases, supporting financial markets and strengthening the New Zealand dollar. With US military operations targeting Iranian assets near the Strait of Hormuz, oil…

The results reflect higher tax revenue and increased returns from government-owned assets. These providing a more positive outlook for businesses, investors and financial markets. For the 11 months to the end of May, the government’s deficit, excluding ACC finances, stood at $6.8 billion. Including ACC finances, the deficit totaled $9.5…

Recent analysis suggests that while higher contribution levels can improve retirement outcomes, they may not be equally suitable for everyone. Research conducted by the Retirement Income Interest Group of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries examined the potential effects of raising KiwiSaver contributions to 6 per cent. The findings indicate…

The figures suggest households may be becoming more confident about spending. According to ANZ’s latest card spending report, spending rose 1.8 per cent in May compared with April on a seasonally adjusted basis. Annual growth was also positive, with spending increasing 4.8 per cent compared with the same month a…

According to Westpac’s latest economic outlook, many families could soon be dealing with higher living costs and a softer job market. After signs of recovery earlier in the year, the economic outlook has shifted significantly due to renewed conflict in the Middle East. This matters greatly for New Zealand because…

Over the past year, thousands of borrowers have been reaching the end of fixed-term home loans that were locked in when interest rates were much higher. As these loans expire, homeowners have been able to refinance onto lower rates. This refinancing trend has been a major source of financial relief…

1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 Inland Revenue (IR) has materially increased its compliance and audit activity over the past year, and the impact is now clearly visible in Audit Shield claims data across New Zealand. Rather than a single spike, the pattern points to a sustained and deliberate…