CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Quin Tauetau Consumer confidence slipped in the March quarter as global uncertainty made households more nervous about the economic outlook. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.8 points to 94.7. A level below 100 indicates pessimists outweigh optimists. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said the survey was ... <a title="Consumers ‘nervous’ about economic outlook amid war in Middle East" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/consumers-nervous-about-economic-outlook-amid-war-in-middle-east/" aria-label="Read more about Consumers ‘nervous’ about economic outlook amid war in Middle East">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Property investors say new research shows that they contribute significant amounts to the country’s economy – but not everyone is convinced. Work by Infometrics, commissioned by the New Zealand Property Investors Federation, showed that private residential property investors contributed $24.8 billion to gross domestic product, or 5.9 percent of GDP, ... <a title="Investment property report sparks questions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/investment-property-report-sparks-questions/" aria-label="Read more about Investment property report sparks questions">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Bad news is nothing new for Kiwi investors in the NZX but better days could be on the way. RNZ / Angus Dreaver The NZX is a small exchange, and it’s had a difficult stretch, but despite global events there may be hope on the horizon. Once again global events have ... <a title="The future of the NZX" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/the-future-of-the-nzx/" aria-label="Read more about The future of the NZX">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Food prices are up 4.5 percent, one of several economic indicators that household budgets are being squeezed. RNZ New Zealand could experience a real fuel choke point in a fortnight, and Treasury’s worst-case scenario for inflation is too optimistic, says a leading economist. War in the Middle East has effectively closed ... <a title="NZ economy to face crunch point over next two weeks – economist" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/nz-economy-to-face-crunch-point-over-next-two-weeks-economist/" aria-label="Read more about NZ economy to face crunch point over next two weeks – economist">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Fruit and vegetables are up 9.4 percent on last year, with meat, poultry and fish rising 7.5 percent. 123RF New Zealand would benefit from a regime banning “excessive” supermarket prices, Consumer NZ says. The organisation says some supermarket shoppers are questioning how quickly food prices have risen, as conflict in the ... <a title="Supermarket price warning issued by Consumer NZ" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/supermarket-price-warning-issued-by-consumer-nz/" aria-label="Read more about Supermarket price warning issued by Consumer NZ">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand My Food Bag is forecasting its full-year net profit will be between $6.4 million and $6.8 million Strong sales in the second half of the year have helped put My Food Bag on track to deliver year-on-year profit growth. The NZX-listed company is forecasting its full-year net profit will be between ... <a title="My Food Bag on track for profit growth" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/my-food-bag-on-track-for-profit-growth/" aria-label="Read more about My Food Bag on track for profit growth">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The average price of a kilogram of beef mince was now $4.60 more than the same time in 2025. RNZ / Vinay Ranchhod Food prices were up 4.5 percent in the year to February, and mince has recorded the biggest annual increase since data began. Meat, poultry and fish led the ... <a title="Mince records biggest annual increase since data began" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/17/mince-records-biggest-annual-increase-since-data-began/" aria-label="Read more about Mince records biggest annual increase since data began">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 16, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The companies in the Major Electricity Users Group account for more than a quarter of New Zealand’s energy use. File photo. 123RF Energy prices around the world are being squeezed by the conflict in the Middle East, but there should not be any price shocks in local power bills this winter, ... <a title="Power price shocks unlikely this winter, says major electricity users group" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/16/power-price-shocks-unlikely-this-winter-says-major-electricity-users-group/" aria-label="Read more about Power price shocks unlikely this winter, says major electricity users group">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 16, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand John Austin. RNZ / Evie Richardson Farmers say the skyrocketing price of fuel couldn’t have come at a worst possible time. The end of summer marks the beginning of harvest season for arable farmers, a time when they can burn more than double the amount of fuel than any other time ... <a title="Farmers face uncertain future as fuel prices skyrocket" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/16/farmers-face-uncertain-future-as-fuel-prices-skyrocket/" aria-label="Read more about Farmers face uncertain future as fuel prices skyrocket">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 16, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Supplied / Kiwibank A recent insurance promotion in which customers were offered Prezzy cards for new business is a reminder to watch out for loyalty tax, Consumer NZ says. Glenn Marshall, who is an insurance broker but is acting in a personal capacity as a consumer, has complained to IAG about ... <a title="Prezzy promo a reminder to watch out for ‘loyalty tax’, Consumer NZ says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/16/prezzy-promo-a-reminder-to-watch-out-for-loyalty-tax-consumer-nz-says/" aria-label="Read more about Prezzy promo a reminder to watch out for ‘loyalty tax’, Consumer NZ says">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 16, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis is downplaying the economic risks New Zealand faces in the wake of the war in the Middle East and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. She warned on Monday of potential “acute cost of living pressures” ahead, but said fuel excise tax would not be cut, partly ... <a title="Willis reveals how bad inflation could get as petrol surges past $3" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/16/willis-reveals-how-bad-inflation-could-get-as-petrol-surges-past-3/" aria-label="Read more about Willis reveals how bad inflation could get as petrol surges past $3">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 16, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The services sector recovery has come to an abrupt halt after only two months in expansion. 123RF Services sector slumps into contraction All five sub-indices retreat Negative comments stay elevated BNZ says PSI “a real disappointment”. New Zealand’s services sector recovery has come to an abrupt halt after only two months ... <a title="Services recovery hits brick wall" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/16/services-recovery-hits-brick-wall/" aria-label="Read more about Services recovery hits brick wall">Read more</a>
