Infometrics CE and Principal Economist Brad Olsen and Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon discuss the immigration, tourism and international student numbers.

Brad Olsen

Chief Executive and Principal Economist

Nick Brunsdon

Principal Economist, Lead Demographer, Director

Rob Heyes

Principal Consultant

Border Recovery

Infometrics CE and Principal Economist Brad Olsen and Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon discuss the “bitsy” and uneven economic recovery.

The “Bitsy” Economic Recovery

Infometrics CE and Principal Economist Brad Olsen, Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan and Principal Economist Nick Brunsdon discuss the latest forecasts and changes to census.

Gareth Kiernan

Chief Forecaster, Director

Forecast update & the evolution of Census

Infometrics CE and Principal Economist Brad Olsen and Economist Matthew Allman discuss the latest transport trends.

Matthew Allman

Economist

Transport Trends

Infometrics CE and Principal Economist Brad Olsen, Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan, and Economist Matthew Allman discuss the Government’s 2025 Budget.

Budget 2025

Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan and Economist Matthew Allman provide an updated view on the effects of the emerging trade war, instigated by US President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on imports into the US. Gareth and Matt will discuss the evolving outlook for world growth and give an assessment of the effects for the New Zealand economy, following the release of Infometrics’ latest forecasts earlier in April.

An NZ perspective on the trade war

This month – Monday 24 March 2025 (11am) – Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen, Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan, and Economist Matthew Allman discuss the latest global economic trends amid increased uncertainty. US President Donald Trump has continued to ratchet up tension globally amid a flurry of tariff announcements, across both specific countries and also for targeted products. Brad, Gareth, and Matthew will analyse how these announcements might affect global economic growth and what it means for New Zealand, including what areas of the economy are most vulnerable.As always, there will be time for questions at the end of the webinar – these webinars are exclusive to Infometrics clients, giving you the opportunity to hear directly from our economics team, and pose questions for them to answer.

Global trends and uncertainty

Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen and Principal Consultant Rob Heyes discuss New Zealand’s up-and-coming workforce, and our recent analysis of the destinations of Kiwi school leavers and how to improve them.Using IDI data, we have examined school leaver destinations over time, allowing us to trace how young people move into the workforce, further education, or other outcomes after they leave school, and how these destinations are influenced by attainment of qualifications at school. Productivity growth across New Zealand has been lacklustre in recent times, and enhancing outcomes across the workforce will be a key part of getting the productivity lift needed. Understanding how students transition into a new pathway after school can help highlight where and how to intervene to get better outcomes for learners and the economy.

Improving school leaver destinations

Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen and Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan look at the year ahead and discuss key issues for the economy in 2025, including expectations for consumer confidence and spending trends, as interest rates fall and household finances improve. 

But labour market concerns are likely to persist for the early part of 2025, with higher unemployment and limited job opportunities as businesses remain reluctant to hire.

Government finances are constrained, with continued deficits looming and effective zero-budgets likely for most parts of the public sector. Global trends will be a key aspect of 2025, with uncertainty around the geopolitical situation and trade prospects heightened with the return of Donald Trump as US President, conflict still swirling across the world, and weaker Chinese economic growth showing no signs of turning around yet. All in all, 2025 looks better than 2024, but it will still be a tough ride for many.

Economic Preview 2025

Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen, Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan, and Economist Matthew Allman discuss the current global economic situation, and likely global economic growth expectations for 2025 and into the future. 

The team will discuss how New Zealand’s exports have been performing, and what might lie ahead. With the recent re-election of US President Donald Trump (from January 2025), the team examine some of the incoming President’s proposed policies, including lower taxes, more deregulation, and tariffs on imports, and what those policies may mean for global growth. They also touch on US foreign policy and how that might affect international relations, given current ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Brad, Gareth, and Matthew also provide an update on the Chinese economy and other trends across Asia, which is a key trade area for New Zealand exporters.