An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted.

The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday.

Many economists are predicting a 50 basis point cut - from 4.25 percent to 3.75.

Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the bank's only meant to focus on inflation, which is already on target.

"They're not looking at the inflation rate - it's exactly at 2 percent. But they're panicking about the state of the economy, that's the truth. I think that's what's going on."

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An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted.
The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday.
Many economists are predicting a 50 basis point cut - from 4.25 percent to 3.75.
Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the bank's only meant to focus on inflation, which is already on target.
"They're not looking at the inflation rate - it's exactly at 2 percent. But they're panicking about the state of the economy, that's the truth. I think that's what's going on."
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of Business is the home of all things business at Newstalk ZB, from morning market updates right through to incisive interviews with New Zealand’s top business leaders and decision makers. 

Whether you’re a small business owner or interested in what’s going on in the Big End of Town, this podcast encompasses the sharpest voices and minds in the world of business.

Best of Business is the home of all things business at Newstalk ZB, from morning market updates right through to incisive interviews with New Zealand’s top business leaders and decision makers. Whether you’re a small business owner or interested in what’s going on in the Big End of Town, this podcast encompasses the sharpest voices and minds in the world of business.

Best of Business is the home of all things business at Newstalk ZB, from morning market updates right through to incisive interviews with New Zealand’s top business leaders and decision makers.

Best of Business

Robert MacCulloch: Auckland University economics professor warns against cutting the OCR

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e721b911-f7e2-41a9-8507-b287005946f4/transcript

Labour's Finance spokesperson won't commit to delivering a surplus by 2029/30 if it's at the expense of restoring pay equity. 

Barbara Edmonds says she is confident Labour could deliver both. 

"For example, a choice that we would not make is $300 million for a tobacco excise tax cut." 

Labour will release its fiscal plan in coming weeks. 

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Labour's Finance spokesperson won't commit to delivering a surplus by 2029/30 if it's at the expense of restoring pay equity.&nbsp;
Barbara Edmonds says she is confident Labour could deliver both.&nbsp;
"For example, a choice that we would not make is $300 million for a tobacco excise tax cut."&nbsp;
Labour will release its fiscal plan in coming weeks.&nbsp;
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Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance spokesperson on Labour's plan to return the books to surplus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/040e266c-1918-4612-9e95-b4d40064e28d/transcript

National's Nicola Willis is putting the rosier Government books - unveiled today - down to Kiwis' hard work, but won't say whether they'll be repaid a dividend in the form of tax cuts. 

Forecasts predict the next two years' deficits will be much smaller, and the 2028/29 surplus nearly $2 billion larger than earlier expected. 

But much of that improvement is down to income-tax bracket creep, and more revenue from GST and company tax. 

Willis says her focus is getting debt down, to buffer against any future shock.

"Those are National's budget responsibility rules - we have to deliver on those before we start dishing out the dividend." 

LISTEN ABOVE

National's Nicola Willis is putting the rosier Government books - unveiled today - down to Kiwis' hard work, but won't say whether they'll be repaid a dividend in the form of tax cuts.&nbsp;
Forecasts predict the next two years' deficits will be much smaller, and the 2028/29 surplus nearly $2 billion larger than earlier expected.&nbsp;
But much of that improvement is down to income-tax bracket creep, and more revenue from GST and company tax.&nbsp;
Willis says her focus is getting debt down, to buffer against any future shock.
"Those are National's budget responsibility rules - we have to deliver on those before we start dishing out the dividend."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the pre-election opening of the Government books

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/24f30bd8-593b-4f6a-a5d5-b4d400539e77/transcript

Economists are expecting the Reserve Bank of Australia to lift the OCR up again this evening.

A rise of 25 basis points is projected, meaning the OCR could go up as high as 4.60 percent.

Ahead of the announcement, Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this projected increase will put more pressure on the federal Government, especially in the eyes of homeowners.

LISTEN ABOVE

Economists are expecting the Reserve Bank of Australia to lift the OCR up again this evening.
A rise of 25 basis points is projected, meaning the OCR could go up as high as 4.60 percent.
Ahead of the announcement, Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this projected increase will put more pressure on the federal Government, especially in the eyes of homeowners.
LISTEN ABOVE

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on whether the RBA is set to lift the OCR again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d99ed7cd-f2a2-4c57-8d53-b4d400487166/transcript

Robert MacCulloch: Auckland University economics professor warns against cutting the OCR

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