Patrick O'meara
Morning Markets for 22 December 2014
New Zealand's Top 50 Index gained 9 points to 5528. Audio
Household spending and farm production boost economy
The economy has continued to grow solidly, due to household spending and improved farm production. Audio
Govt accused of sacrificing public services
The Government has been accused of sacrificing public services in its obsession on returning to surplus next year. Audio
Reserve Bank signals OCR on hold for longer
The Reserve Bank has signalled interest rate hikes will be at least a year away. Audio
Reserve Bank Governor's Official Cash Rate announcement
The Reserve Bank Governor has left the official cash rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. Radio New Zealand's Economics correspondent Patrick O'Meara reports. Audio
OCR expected to remain on hold
Despite further cuts to dairy income and calls among business to cut interest rates, analysts say it's very unlikely the Reserve Bank will be swayed. Audio
TPP still difficult despite expected Abe re-election in Japan
The likely re-election of Japan's government is not expected to make it any easier to conclude a Pacific-wide trade deal. Audio
Businesses and unions call for interest rate cut
Businesses and unions are demanding an interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank next reviews the cost of borrowing. Audio
NZ well placed despite expectation of further falls
The country's purchasing power with the rest of the world has suffered a reversal for the first time in 18 months. Audio
Govt urgued to encourage older workers to ealy retirement
The savings from raising the pension age may not be as great as expected. Audio
Maori warned prosperity means more than just owning land
Participants at an investment conference in Wellington were told that property is not enough for iwi and other Maori organisations to generate the returns needed to invest back in their people. Audio
Insecure workers forgoing benefits, saying it's a hassle
Workers on low hour contracts are missing out on benefits they're entitled to because of the red tape they encounter if they earn extra money. Audio
World leaders agree strategy to lift global growth, create jobs
The leaders of the world's biggest economies have agreed on a strategy to lift global growth by two trillion dollars and create more than 100 million new jobs. Audio
Insight for 16 November 2014 - Flexibility and Employment Laws
Patrick O'Meara examines the new labour laws and what they mean for firms and workers Audio
NZ trade with China booms while FTA languish
Selling more and more to China appears to be New Zealand's sole trade option, as efforts to broker other deals come to nothing. Audio
IS threat worries regional summit
The threat from the insurgent group Islamic State has been foremost in the minds of regional leaders including John Key, meeting in Myanmar. Audio
The use of zero hour contracts are growing
Increasing numbers of New Zealand workers are now tied to jobs in which their employer is under no obligation to provide work. Audio
PM says Obama is key to TPP deal being done soon
The Prime Minister says the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal could be put on ice if it's not struck soon. Audio
TPP faces new rival
Another regional trade deal is being touted, this time covering the entire Asia-Pacific region. Audio
RBNZ on hold for longer
The Reserve Bank is expected to keep the official cash rate at 3 point 5 percent when it makes its announcement at 9 o'clock. Audio
