Although there is considerable economic uncertainty about, the New Zealand economy is in good shape to cope with recent shocks, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's latest Quarterly Predictions.
"Recent events have introduced more than the usual uncertainty into the economic outlook," NZIER said.
The earthquakes that were centred around Kaikoura had disrupted business and caused substantial damage to infrastructure and buildings.
"We expect the effects will be largely isolated to regions which bore the brunt of the earthquakes," NZIER said.
Overseas, the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States had upped the ante in global relations.
"There is much uncertainty over which of the many policies he flagged prior to the election he will follow through on, but markets for now have taken his surprise win in their stride," NZIER said.
There was also less risk of deflation, with inflation expectations lifting around the world and that meant the OCR in this country was unlikely to go below the current level of 1.75%.
"Long term interest rates have risen on these higher inflation expectations," NZIER said.
"The Reserve Bank cut the OCR to 1.75% at the November meeting and we do not expect it will lower the OCR any further in this cycle."
2 Comments
Let's not forget:
New Zealand's commercial property sector continues to stack up well internationally, according to the latest Property Council/IPD New Zealand Property Index.
Returns softened slightly in the September quarter, down from 13.1 per cent in June, but were still robust at 12.7 per cent for the year, up from 11.4 per cent a year ago. Read more
What could possibly go wrong?
Commercial properties are expected to be run like a business these days. Bank finance changed after Terry Serepisos ran into extended cash flow problems.
The returns are good and it's not really a boom time for commercial property. It is a boom time for commercial construction projects though as the numbers stack up.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.