New Zealanders are feeling the pinch of rising prices, according to the ANZ‑Roy Morgan survey of July 2025. Consumer confidence weakened to 94.7 in July from 98.8 in June, a reading below 100 that signals more pessimists than optimists【921432843662531†L154-L159】. At the same time, households’ inflation expectations climbed to 5.1%, the highest since March 2023【921432843662531†L154-L160】. The … Read more
New Zealand’s inflation outlook brightened slightly in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) quarterly survey. The survey of 40 business leaders and professional forecasters found that two‑year inflation expectations slipped to 2.28% in Q3 from 2.29% in the previous quarter【84206022385746†L153-L160】. This minor drop keeps expectations comfortably within … Read more
New Zealand’s manufacturing sector showed signs of life in July, snapping a months‑long contraction. The Bank of New Zealand‑Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) rose to 52.8 in July from a revised 49.2 in June, returning to expansion for the first time since early 2025【121715552395433†L147-L154】. A reading above 50 indicates that manufacturing activity is … Read more
New Zealand’s centre‑right government unveiled a leaner 2025 budget as economic growth falters. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce that baseline spending would fall to NZ$1.3 billion in the 2025 budget, down from a forecast NZ$2.4 billion, because weaker growth and lower tax revenue are hurting the government’s finances. She said slower growth … Read more
New Zealand’s housing market is poised for a rebound. A Reuters poll of property analysts predicts home prices will rise about 3.8% in 2025 as the market recovers from three years of declines. Analysts credit a series of interest‑rate cuts by the Reserve Bank – 225 basis points since August 2024, with more easing expected … Read more
New Zealand’s economy entered 2025 in a fragile state. Statistics New Zealand reported that 71,800 citizens departed the country in the year to June 2025 – the highest level since 2012. Many of those leaving are young people seeking better prospects overseas as the local job market falters. Unemployment climbed to 5.2% in the June … Read more