In our February newsletter we had planned to explore Valentine’s Day spending, but like everyone else our focus quickly shifted once the change in Alert Levels occurred. Senior Economist Brad Olsen takes a look at the likely economic effects of Alert Level 3 in Auckland and Level 2 elsewhere in New Zealand, concluding that although the economic hit will be swift, businesses are better positioned to adapt, and the bounce back is expected to be just as quick.
Two weeks ago we updated our Regional Economic Profiles, and given the changes in the dairy sector and its importance to many regional economies, Senior Economist Nick Brunsdon has taken a look at the key trends and how they’re moo-ving.
It’s been a busy time for Infometrics, with our latest forecasts also being released earlier this month. The economic outlook is now much more optimistic, and as Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan details in our media release, we’ve dodged a missile so far!
Finally, Brad rounds out the newsletter with some analysis of the public sector workforce, how it’s changed over time and become a more important part of the economy, and how regional hubs for public agencies might provide both opportunities and challenges.