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10,000 jobs have disappeared in just three months, according to Stats NZ. There are now 50,000 fewer jobs than in December 2023. Auckland lost nearly 5000 jobs, Wellington over 1300, Hawke's Bay over 800, and in Waikato close to 700. Provincial areas have also been hit despite the farming sector being a bright spot in the economy. Economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen spoke to Lisa Owen.
Stats NZ's business employment data for the June quarter, released on Tuesday shows a 10,000 fall in three months. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Stats NZ came out with the latest trade data for New Zealand - and the results show good news for exporters. Exports were up 9.9 percent in the year to June and imports were up 3.2 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stats NZ came out with the latest trade data for New Zealand - and the results show good news for exporters. Exports were up 9.9 percent in the year to June and imports were up 3.2 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New figures from Stats NZ show the gender pay gap has dropped to 5.3 percent in the June Quarter 2025, its lowest level since 1998. Advocacy group Mind the Gap co-founder Dellwyn Stuart spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
A build-up of industry income changes could have driven the pay gap between men and women to a historic low. The pay gap for the June quarter is sitting at 5.2 percent, down from the 8.2 percent seen a year ago. It's the smallest margin seen since Stats NZ began collecting the data in 1998. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says sectors like transport, IT and finance have been pushing through higher incomes for female workers. "We've also seen continued larger pay increases for a number of quite large female-dominated industries alike - of education and health." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A build-up of industry income changes could have driven the pay gap between men and women to a historic low. The pay gap for the June quarter is sitting at 5.2 percent, down from the 8.2 percent seen a year ago. It's the smallest margin seen since Stats NZ began collecting the data in 1998. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says sectors like transport, IT and finance have been pushing through higher incomes for female workers. "We've also seen continued larger pay increases for a number of quite large female-dominated industries alike - of education and health." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Belief an improving gender pay gap is due to a weaker labour market. Stats NZ's revealed the difference in pay between women and men fell to 5.2% in the June quarter - its lowest point to date A year ago, it was 8.2%. Mind the Gap co-founder Dellwyn Stuart told Ryan Bridge the number will likely go back up as the economy improves and more part-time jobs become available again for women. She says they're still carrying majority of the parenting load and tend to opt for part-time roles more, which are often the ones cut first. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The humble mince pie, might not be that humble anymore with the price of a key ingredient sky rocketing in the past 12 months. Beef mince has gone up more than 19% in a year, according to Stats NZ figures. Other potential pie ingredients have also jumped in price. On average a 500 gram block of butter has gone up more than 42%, while 1kg of cheese has gone up almost 30% in price. John Willams from Auckland's world famous Muzza's Pies says for now they are trying to make savings else where, and spoke to Lisa Owen.
Stats NZ says groceries, especially dairy and meat, drove a 5 percent annual increase, with mince up nearly 20 percent. Cibus Catering managing director Peter Kennet spoke to Corin Dann.
In today's episode, the government's shaking up building consenting, with the goal of delivering cheaper and easier builds; Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine; Stats NZ says groceries, especially dairy and meat, drove a 5 percent annual increase, with mince up nearly 20 percent; Awards have been dished out to the country's top restaurants and chefs, at the Cuisine Food Awards. Samoan restaurant "Tala" in Parnell Auckland has achieved a three-hat rating.
The price of food has increased five percent over the past 12 months, the latest figures released by Stats NZ show, leaving families struggling to put basics on the table. Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod spoke to Corin Dann.
In today's episode, there's been a chorus of voices calling for the government to take action to help pull Auckland out of its economic slump; New Zealand Police are facing stiff competition across the Tasman, with states there luring Kiwi cops with more money and housing allowances; Auckland emergency department nurses say this winter is the busiest they've seen; The price of food has increased five percent over the past 12 months, the latest figures released by Stats NZ show, leaving families struggling to put basics on the table; We cross the Tasman to get the latest from Kerry-Anne Walsh.
The latest Stats NZ figures says food prices in our 15 main cities have increased five-percent in the past year -- with grocery prices rising much faster than restaurant and takeaway prices. But Foodstuffs says prices in its stores have only increased 3.4 percent. Foodstuffs North Island Managing Director Chris Quin told Mike Hosking that much of that rise is being driven by beef, lamb and butter. Quinn says consumers can get good value with frozen chickens, leg roasts and many winter vegetables. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stats NZ says food inflation was back up five-percent for the year to July. The heftiest increases include butter rising 42-percent, cheese 29, and produce climbing more than seven. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says other essentials like milk, steak, and mince are also going up. Olsen says food price inflation probably won't impact next week's Reserve Bank announcement, but it is uncomfortable for households. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There's growing calls among Auckland business leaders to get the city's economy going again. According to the latest Stats NZ data, Auckland's 6.1 percent unemployment rate for the June 2025 quarter was the highest of any region and above the national rate of 5.2 percent. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says the Government needs to find a solution to get the city moving again. "We're talking to people on the street, businesses who have struggled through 10 years...they need people, they need customers, they need people here and events are a proven way of doing that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There's growing calls among Auckland business leaders to get the city's economy going again. According to the latest Stats NZ data, Auckland's 6.1 percent unemployment rate for the June 2025 quarter was the highest of any region and above the national rate of 5.2 percent. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says the Government needs to find a solution to get the city moving again. "We're talking to people on the street, businesses who have struggled through 10 years...they need people, they need customers, they need people here and events are a proven way of doing that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last year's recession is still being felt in the job market. Stats NZ data —due out this morning— is expected to show unemployment reached a nine-year high of 5.3% in the June quarter. The economy's been back in growth since the latter part of last year. But ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking the economy has lost about 40,000 jobs since the late 2023 peak. More full-time roles have been lost than part time, he explained, and the labour market is getting that much weaker. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Figures, due out this morning, are expected to show unemployment's hit a nine-year high. Stats NZ is releasing its latest unemployment update at 10.45am. Economists expect the rate to have reached 5.3% in the June quarter, up from 5.1% for the March quarter. Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Ryan Bridge they expect the peak unemployment rate to be around 5.3% or slightly higher. He says that the labour market tends to be one of the more lagging parts of the economic cycle. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Craig Renney from the BHNetwork as we review unemployment data freshly released by Stats NZ. Ask questions and find out what is really going on with jobs in Aotearoa.
Throwing in a CV and cover letter in response to a job ad may not cut it anymore, as young people face high unemployment rates. Stats NZ data shows jobs filled by 15 to 19-year-olds dropped 10% in the last year – representing over 12 thousand roles. The overall drop nationally is 1.2%. Youth Inspire Chief Executive Zainab Ali told Ryan Bridge the tactical approach to training youth has been forced to change. She says in the past six months she's relied on relationships with business partners for job opportunities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.Welcome to another bonus episode of the Property Apprentice Podcast, hosted by Debbie Roberts, financial adviser and co-founder of Property Apprentice. In this episode, Debbie unpacks how New Zealand's aging population is reshaping the future of property investment, interest rates, housing supply, and banking services. What happens to house prices as more Kiwis reach retirement age? Will there be an oversupply of large homes in aging regions? How could long-term interest rates shift due to demographic trends? What are the implications for retirement planning, reverse mortgages, and rental demand? We'll also dive into insights from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), Stats NZ, and the New Zealand Treasury, highlighting potential risks and opportunities for investors—especially with the median age projected to rise to over 45 by 2050. Whether you're a property investor, a future retiree, or a Gen Z planning ahead, this episode offers crucial takeaways: Why smaller, single-level, low-maintenance homes are becoming more attractiveHow shrinking working-age populations affect NZ Superannuation sustainabilityWhat changes banks may make in response to higher deposits and fewer mortgagesTips for adapting your investment strategy in a changing economic environmentRegister for our FREE event: "How to Succeed With Property Investing"
Recent statistics on inflation published earlier this week showed that consumer prices had risen by 2.7% in the last 12 months to June. Stats NZ identified the main contributor to inflation as local authority rates and payments, which were up 12.2%. Earlier this week, the Green party recently called on the government to lower the minimum voting age to 16, which was in response to a move by the UK government last week, where they announced their plans to lower the voting age to 16 in time for their next general election. And the most recent figures from the Ministry of Social Development were published which showed that benefit sanctions have increased by 27% compared to last year, with the number of people receiving the benefit also increasing by 6.6%. For our weekly catchup with the Green party, Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March to get the party's take on all of these issues.
Rates, rent and power are a trio of factors responsible for driving up inflation, which has now jumped to a 12-month high. Stats NZ data showed food costs were also surging, alongside rates shooting up by 12.2% and electricity rising by more than 8%. However inflation is still within the Reserve Bank's target band and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said it is under control. But the opposition said it shows the cost of living is still a problem. Kiwi bank Economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.
Stats NZ recently reported annual inflation increased to 2.7 percent in the three months to the end of June, and it's sparked concerns among experts. Economists had all been expecting annual inflation would be recorded at 2.8 percent or 2.9 percent - close to the Reserve Bank's 3 percent target band. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly revealed what this could mean for the economy going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Experts have offered reassurance our high inflation isn't a sign of things to come. Stats NZ figures show the Consumers Price Index reached 2.7 percent for the year to June. Inflation fell to just 2.2 percent last year - from 7.3 percent three years ago - but has been rising since. Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara says this is likely a spike, so should go back down. "If you look at domestic inflation, that's really trending down - so I don't think this is going to be something that is persistent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rising inflation is hitting low-income households hard, but is expected to spark hikes to the OCR. New data -- due out from Stats NZ this morning -- is expected to show inflation has risen to between 2.6 and 2.9 percent in the year to June. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner says households are facing rising energy and food prices. She says inflation could surpass three percent in the year to September, but the Reserve Bank isn't likely to change course. LISTEN HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Households are still finding it tough to pay for the basics, with high prices not easing yet. Stats NZ has revealed the cost of food rose 4.6 percent in the 12 months to June. It's largely driven by double-digit increases for products like red meat, cheese and milk Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says the general economy is still experiencing intense price pressure and weakness - which isn't comforting. "Mince prices are now hitting nearly $22 a kilo. You can't even have a cheap mince meal at a cheap price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tim and Lianne discuss the latest in politics, including the recent Stats NZ milestone where the number of people who moved away from New Zealand was greater than the number who migrated here, in the months of April and May. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
There's immense pressure for young New Zealanders trying to find work as opportunities decline. Stats NZ data shows 16 percent of Kiwis aged 15-24 are unemployed. NZ Careers Expo director Mark Gillard says the market conditions show it's a tough market for young workers. "It's not anybody's fault, the onus is certainly there on employers, on industry organisations to engage with young people. There's been a propensity to step back and let the internet do all the talking, but we know face-to-face engagement with young people is what really inspires them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Winston's done it again. The old political workhorse of the Pacific just keeps getting more popular. New Zealand First has overtaken ACT in the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia Poll - it's now the third most popular party. I'll give you a break down of the numbers shortly, but this has got to be ego bruising for Seymour. He's just got his feet under the Deputy's desk and he's been overtaken in the polls by the bloke he's replaced. Not that simply being the Deputy PM gets you votes, but he's trying to make a good fist of it. Seymour's holding press conferences left, right and centre. Yesterday, a stand-up reacting to no change in the OCR. Today, a stand-up on Stats NZ numbers. Luxon's overseas on holiday. Winston's East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Seymour's been bogged down with Regulatory Standard's Bill, the Treaty bill and school lunches. Winston's been flying around the world keeping us in line with China and staving off Trump's tariffs... all while celebrating his 80th birthday. And to top it off, he's keeping cash in circulation. Winston is popular because he speaks his mind and knows what he's talking about. He commands respect. When he speaks, people listen. He's a good example of a man who keeps it simple. Do your job and do it well. Work hard and stay focussed. It's a pretty simple formula that's seen him through the last 40+ years in politics and ion these numbers will see him through atleast a couple more yet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you know why your health insurance premiums are paying for someone elses operation? The cost of insurances have shot up recently; Stats NZ figures show as at March last year house insurance was up almost 25%, contents insurance up about 28% and car insurance up almost 23% compared to the previous year. Some companies offering health insurance as part of employment packages are looking to ditch or downgrade their cover as costs go up. Southern Cross had about 955,000 members last financial year or about 60% of Aotearoa's health insurance market by customer numbers. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Regan Savage spoke to Lisa Owen.
20% of New Zealanders are struggling to pay their power bills with 11% cutting back on heating their homes, according to Consumer New Zealand's latest energy survey. Stats NZ figures show the price of electricty has gone up almost 9% in 12 months. Some people have told Checkpoint they are in bed by five to save on heating costs, others are taking extreme measures like turning off their hot water cylinder or bathing in cold water. Consumer's Manager of Powerswitch, Paul Fuge spoke to Lisa Owen about how to keep your power bill down this winter.
The Prime Minister has promised to take action in the coming months to tackle the cost of living crisis. Christopher Luxon has acknowledged it is still tough out there for too many kiwis and the government's focus is on unlocking economic growth. According to Stats NZ the price of food has gone up 4.4% in the last year. Electricity is up almost 9% and gas is up more than 15%. As of March last year house insurance was up almost 25 % and contents insurance up about 28%. This week figures from Centrix showed almost half a million people are behind on debt repayments. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.
A price tag of more than $80 for just over 3kg of prime New Zealand lamb is a little too rich, even for a former chef who devoted decades to fine dining. According to Stats NZ in the past year food prices have gone up 4.4% percent. That's the biggest jump since December 2023. Tony Astle ran the legendary Auckland fine dining restaurant Antoines in Parnell for almost 50 years. He spoke to Lisa Owen about how to keep cooking costs down.
Some pensioners are resorting to extreme power rationing to keep up with rising costs. Turning off hot water cylinders for days at a time and heading to bed as soon as it's dark to save on electricity. Stats NZ figures show electricity costs have gone up almost 9% in the twelve months from June last year. Gas has gone up almost 15.5% over the same period. The government's winter energy payment for those on super and a number of other benefits is up to $700 over five months. But Age Concern Canterbury says it's not enough with an increasing number of people relying on super alone; there's only so many expenses they can trim. Chief Executive of Age Concern Canterbury, Greta Bond spoke to Lisa Owen.
A rising number of people are considering ditching insurance, taking a gamble to cope with rising prices. New figures from Centrix show almost half a million people are behind on debt repayments, with nearly 22,000 in mortgage arrears. Company liquidations have risen 27% year-on-year. Stats NZ figures show as at March last year house insurance was up almost 25 %, contents insurance up about 28% and car insurance up almost 23% compared to the previous year. Checkpoint spoke to a number of people weighing up the cost of insurance.
Consents keep dropping but the energy in the building sector may be beginning to turn. Stats NZ figures show new home consents fell 3.8% in the year to May and plunged 8.6% for multi-unit dwellings. Stats NZ says it's levelling off, but NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows only 3% of building firms expect conditions to improve, down from 6% three months ago. But Combined Building Supplies Co-Op CEO Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking that building consent data is only a small part of the industry, and as a whole, it's starting to feel better across the board. He says that some stats are normally three or four months behind, and instead they track what their members are spending across their merchants, which has seen a 10% increase on the previous month. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unemployment is currently at 5.1%, with 156,000 people out of work. As the cost of living crisis continues to ravage discretionary spending, according to Stats NZ food prices have also gone up 4.4% in the past year. Inflation has continued to rise and lower income households have been hit hard. Kiwibank Chief economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Lisa Owen.
Whether it's a block of butter or cheese, a kilo of mince, a dozen eggs or a cooked chook, food prices have gone up rapidly. The latest Stats NZ figures show in the past 12 months food prices have gone up 4.4% - the highest increase since December 2023. Over the last three years Checkpoint has been tracking a weekly shop from the same suburb at a Countdown and Pak'n SAVE supermarket to see just how much things have gone up at the checkout. Louise Ternouth reports.
Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.In this bonus episode of the Property Apprentice Podcast, host and financial adviser Debbie Roberts breaks down the latest Stats NZ and Westpac building consent data and what it means for property investors, homeowners, and developers across New Zealand.While April 2025 saw a 17% drop in new dwelling consents, there's more beneath the surface. We unpack:Why the fall in multi-unit consents isn't a cause for panicThe resilience of stand-alone houses, with consents rising 2.4% over the past yearWhat economists are saying about the stabilisation of the construction sectorHow lower mortgage rates, rising house prices, and OCR cuts could trigger a recoveryCommercial construction trends: why businesses remain cautious in 2025Despite short-term volatility, the numbers reveal that New Zealand's residential building sector may have found a floor—and recovery could be on the horizon.Whether you're planning to build, buy, or invest, now might be the ideal time to act before momentum shifts.Tune in for expert insights on how to read the signs and prepare for the next upswing in property development.If you found this episode helpful, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in the property market.Ready to take the next step? Join our free “How to Succeed with Property Investing” event at propertyapprentice.co.nz or book a meeting with Paul Roberts for tailored advice.Sources:https://www.westpaciq.com.au/economics/2025/05/first-impressions-nz-building-consents-april-2025?ai=1748561589863&cd=76673&cid=edmhttps://www.stats.govt.nz/news/home-consents-down-in-the-month-of-april-2025/https://www.mpamag.com/nz/news/general/new-zealand-home-building-consents-down-in-april-but-long-term-trend-stabilises/537692?hsmemberId=47647101&tu=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=20250602&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--YrJXReTc3eQOqMAy7EO9Ko9vdd_4dgJZJ3CPUMsmL0-PMA5ofqHXx4mqYe5LmHjGzaTPjwYz1935lqz-vySTA8uyA1tvzAMaG1lJQVSbmahcNmGM&_hsmi=364501099&utm_content=&utm_source=Support the show*Nothing from this episode should be taken as individual financial advice. *Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.
According to one expert, last week's GDP figures are a sign New Zealand's economy is on the up. Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explains further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kiwibank's chief economist says GDP figures released today show good momentum - but the next report isn't looking as good. Stats NZ says our gross domestic product grew a strong 0.8 percent in this year's first quarter. It's much higher than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. Jarrod Kerr says there is less optimism around the quarter ending June. "The data that we talked about was for the first quarter - obviously, it pre-dates Trump's tariff announcements, which has thrown a whole lot of uncertainty into the year. And it also predates the recent spike in oil prices." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New data out of Stats NZ reveals the country's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. It's a stronger result than predicted by the Reserve Bank and Treasury. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks these results - and voices his concerns about the future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are concerns scrapping the traditional census won't deliver the desired results. Stats NZ is moving to a system using Government collected admin-data, saying the current five yearly Census is financially unsustainable. Census-style questions will still be asked in much smaller annual surveys looking at a small fraction of the population. Former national statistician Len Cook told Mike Hosking data-wise, this won't cut it. He says admin-data comes from about a dozen different sources, none of them complete. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The economy is expected to look better than earlier predictions. Figures —due out from Stats NZ this morning— are expected to show the country's GDP grew 0.7% for the first quarter of the year. It's slightly higher than 0.4%, predicted earlier this year. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking things are expected to slow through the middle half of the year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Statistics Minister says his agency is well up to transforming how the Census is done in New Zealand, despite previous short-comings. The five-yearly census is being replaced by a smaller, annual survey - and using Government department data. Stats NZ has faced past criticism over poor Census response rates But Shane Reti says it's ready to turn that around. "There's been some fall-overs with Stats NZ - and actually, part of our job is also to build trust and to build quality with Stats NZ. I believe they'll be able to rebuild their reputation and deliver quality." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Food prices increased 4.4 percent in the 12 months to May 2025, following a 3.7 percent increase in the 12 months to April 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ. Higher prices for the grocery food group and the meat, poultry and fish group contributed most to the annual increase in food prices. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the factors behind this data. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christchurch is acting as a magnet for thousands of Kiwis making the move down South. The latest Stats NZ census data shows 85,000 people moved to the South Island between 2018 and 2023. Around half of those have gone to the Canterbury region. ChristchurchNZ Chief Executive Ali Adams told Mike Hosking the Garden City's versatility is being recognized. She says people are realizing you can have a brilliant career and a great life. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There's a belief New Zealand's entering the early stages of an export-led recovery. Stats NZ data reveals it's at $1.4 billion in April, compared with a $12 million deficit last year. The dairy sector's been the big winner, up $601 million to $2.2 billion. Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking it's promising on the back of a tough three years in the sector. He says domestically people aren't spending a lot, so imports aren't coming in, but fortunately the world is buying more from us which is a great point in the cycle. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.