Commentaries
- Greens take from the rich, for the poor
A Green Government would hike the tax rate to 40 per cent on income over $140,000 and use the extra revenue to tackle child poverty. - August 2014 - New Lending Rules
Over recent decades successive governments have tried to provide a satisfactory regulatory system for companies, banks, lending institutions and loan sharks. Many borrowers find out too late the onerous obligations set by some Lenders. - April 2014 - A $100 investment now could save $100,000 later
Ninety-three per cent of homeowners with house insurance have left it up to their insurer to decide the level of cover they have, and that means $167 billion of property is uninsured. - November 2013 - European Debt Crisis - Economic Collapse In 3 Minutes - Clarke & Dawe MUST SEE Video - November 2013
- The end of Britain
Before we explain our important message to you, let me briefly introduce ourselves. Twelve years ago we launched a magazine for investors. We called it MoneyWeek. MoneyWeek is now the UK's best-selling financial magazine, and serves tens of thousands of subscribers in more than 60 countries. - November 2013 - What will it cost to rebuild?
Huge variations in building cost estimates may leave homeowners scratching their heads when it comes to insuring their houses or, worse, leave them underinsured. - August 2013 - RBNZ cracks down on mortgage lending
Kiwibank has been the first of the big retail banks to respond to new lending rules, promising to put first-home buyers first in the lending queue. - August 2013 - Costs of imported goods set to soar
A slump in the New Zealand dollar could well signal the end of the currency's golden run that has allowed consumers to splurge on more affordable electronics and other imported goods. - July 2013 - OECD call for capital gains tax
New Zealand should bring in a capital gains tax on property, raise the pension age in line with an ageing population and target Working for Families payments more tightly on the working poor, according to the OECD. - June 2013 - New Zealand's global links explained
This week, The New Zealand Initiative released its first report: New Zealand's Global Links: Foreign Ownership and the Status of New Zealand's Net International Investments. - May 2013 - New report exposes foreign investment, debt myths
Most of the fear, distrust and suspicion of foreign investment is based on inaccurate or misunderstood information, a new think tank report says. - April 2013 - Principles come first when tapping a family trust
If ever a single case confirmed the mantra "when making a decision; go back to first principles", it's the case of the doctor, the trust and the Thai boiler room. - April 2012 - Family farms hit by tax crackdown
The Government has come close to severing one of the main arteries of farming – the smooth succession from one generation to the next. - April 2012 - Wine Industry - Remedies for Growing Pains
The wine industry is a growth story for New Zealand. But the industry is suffering from growing pains. Key issues include a splintering of approaches between small and large wine companies, bulk exports undermining branded/bottled wine, over-reliance on one variety, increased regulation/taxes/compliance costs, and higher production costs. Remedies include targeting expansion in existing markets and opening up new markets, stronger focus on "super premium" positioning, strategies to strengthen relationships and rebuild trust within the industry, collaboration to manage supply and inventory, a stronger focus on efficiencies throughout the supply chain - with consolidation inevitable, and continued research and marketing into maintaining a high-quality public image of New Zealand wine. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - The Month in Review
The good season continues for livestock farmers up and down the country, but the soggy end to summer has made it difficult for others. Livestock are in good condition and there is lots of supplementary feed in storage. The lack of sunshine hours has affected the quality and maturity of many crops. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - Rural Property Market
Upward pricing pressure is starting to emerge for livestock-aligned property. Increased confidence levels about the outlook for grape prices and kiwifruit has seen a few properties sold at reasonable levels, establishing benchmarks. We don't forsee the rural property market getting up a full head of steam. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - Key Commodities and Financial Market Variables
The high NZD remains the major drag on farm-gate prices. The upside is that the high NZD directly lowers tradable inflation and means the RBNZ can keep the OCR at its current level for longer. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - Economic Backdrop
The NZ economy continues to navigate a complex web of structural and cyclical impulses. In such an environment one sees volatility, a subdued trend rate of growth, mixed economic signals, and polarised performance within sectors. This picture will continue for some time, with upside rebound potential capped by the realities of balance sheet restoration. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - Borrowing Strategy
Recent developments such as the release of softer Q4 GDP data and the mild reduction in the dairy payout have been consistent with the RBNZ's main message - that it is in no hurry to lift the OCR. The global scene is still fraught with uncertainty. With markets pricing in a much more rapid rise in the OCR than the RBNZ projects, borrowers still have time on their side. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - New Zealand's Natural Resource Endowment
New Zealand is uniquely placed in the world. The World Bank has estimated the wealth of nations; New Zealand comes in at 20th of 152 countries for total wealth per capita, and 8th for natural capital. More importantly we top the list for 'renewable' natural capital per capita. Our ranking in the natural capital per capita stakes is also higher than Australia. - March 2012. From The National Bank Agri Focus - New grant for quake-hit small businesses
A new grant for small businesses with fewer than 10 employees is on offer to help pay for the professional services they need for their post-quake recovery. - January 2012 - Repeal of gift duty significant win for Federated Farmers - August 2011
- Wake-up call for mum and dad trustees
A TRUST crackdown is coming with an overhaul of trust regulation likely to create a parallel enforcement regime similar to that governing companies. - August 2010 - National Bank Property Focus - June 2010
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