Brian Easton
Latest articles
Economist Brian Easton asks: Why doesn’t our government reflect New Zealanders; why doesn’t Parliament make them?
19th Jun 23, 9:05am
by Brian Easton
14
Economist Brian Easton asks: Why doesn’t our government reflect New Zealanders; why doesn’t Parliament make them?
Brian Easton asks: Was another IT debacle inevitable given the management arrangements?
12th Jun 23, 8:53am
by Brian Easton
1
Brian Easton asks: Was another IT debacle inevitable given the management arrangements?
Steven Levitt, famous for his Freakonomics, shows that being an economist is not just mouthing supply and demand.
5th Jun 23, 9:53am
by Brian Easton
9
Steven Levitt, famous for his Freakonomics, shows that being an economist is not just mouthing supply and demand.
The Treasury has released its budget economic forecasts. Economist Brian Easton asks: What do the forecasts say about the economy over the next four months?
29th May 23, 11:57am
by Brian Easton
5
The Treasury has released its budget economic forecasts. Economist Brian Easton asks: What do the forecasts say about the economy over the next four months?
Economist Brian Easton takes a government-eye view of the 'cost of living crisis'
22nd May 23, 9:21am
by Brian Easton
31
Economist Brian Easton takes a government-eye view of the 'cost of living crisis'
Economist Brian Easton says when fantasyland collapses it will be the smaller economies which will suffer most – unless they take precautions
15th May 23, 9:05am
by Brian Easton
1
Economist Brian Easton says when fantasyland collapses it will be the smaller economies which will suffer most – unless they take precautions
Economist Brian Easton is unconvinced that more public servants necessarily means better performance
8th May 23, 8:57am
by Brian Easton
4
Economist Brian Easton is unconvinced that more public servants necessarily means better performance
Economist Brian Easton offers some insights into how the forecasters think
1st May 23, 8:29am
by Brian Easton
2
Economist Brian Easton offers some insights into how the forecasters think
Brian Easton asks: How far has the government’s Three Waters policy retreated?
24th Apr 23, 8:41am
by Brian Easton
9
Brian Easton asks: How far has the government’s Three Waters policy retreated?
Economist Brian Easton reflects on a report he wrote for the New Zealand Productivity Commission
17th Apr 23, 8:42am
by Brian Easton
7
Economist Brian Easton reflects on a report he wrote for the New Zealand Productivity Commission
Brian Easton says the public service is suffering from the downgrading of the role of professionals, experts and those at the workface with the public
10th Apr 23, 8:35am
by Brian Easton
19
Brian Easton says the public service is suffering from the downgrading of the role of professionals, experts and those at the workface with the public
Great disappointment followed the release of the latest poverty figures. Brian Easton says whatever your take, we are not facing up to the real child poverty problems
3rd Apr 23, 8:32am
by Brian Easton
61
Great disappointment followed the release of the latest poverty figures. Brian Easton says whatever your take, we are not facing up to the real child poverty problems
Brian Easton casts an eye over the 'inherently unstable' financial sector, noting it can result in very high performance
27th Mar 23, 9:24am
by Brian Easton
4
Brian Easton casts an eye over the 'inherently unstable' financial sector, noting it can result in very high performance
Brian Easton reviews the ideas raised in a John Kay/Mervyn King book about where historical data provides no useful guidance to future outcomes, challenging the foundations of modern economics
20th Mar 23, 5:01pm
by Brian Easton
6
Brian Easton reviews the ideas raised in a John Kay/Mervyn King book about where historical data provides no useful guidance to future outcomes, challenging the foundations of modern economics
Economist Brian Easton says Cyclone Gabrielle is a challenge to fiscal stability. He would prefer a special tax to pay for remediation and adaption
13th Mar 23, 9:57am
by Brian Easton
26
Economist Brian Easton says Cyclone Gabrielle is a challenge to fiscal stability. He would prefer a special tax to pay for remediation and adaption
Economist Brian Easton explains why the Census is important and how it will guide public policy. He reminds us of the problems in some prior censuses and the difficulties they caused still echo today
4th Mar 23, 9:15am
by Brian Easton
79
Economist Brian Easton explains why the Census is important and how it will guide public policy. He reminds us of the problems in some prior censuses and the difficulties they caused still echo today
Economist Brian Easton examines how speculative bubbles have occurred in the New Zealand housing market
27th Feb 23, 8:02am
by Brian Easton
41
Economist Brian Easton examines how speculative bubbles have occurred in the New Zealand housing market
Economist Brian Easton examines our housing stock situation and stresses the need for a good, comprehensive data base
20th Feb 23, 8:31am
by Brian Easton
12
Economist Brian Easton examines our housing stock situation and stresses the need for a good, comprehensive data base
Keynes warned us that practical men and women are but slaves of defunct economists. Economist Brian Easton says the comment is particularly relevant as we try to understand the prospects for inflation
13th Feb 23, 9:23am
by Brian Easton
8
Keynes warned us that practical men and women are but slaves of defunct economists. Economist Brian Easton says the comment is particularly relevant as we try to understand the prospects for inflation
Brian Easton notes the (new) Prime Minister said nobody understands what co-governance means, later modified to that there were so many varying interpretations that there was no common understanding
6th Feb 23, 9:17am
by Brian Easton
48
Brian Easton notes the (new) Prime Minister said nobody understands what co-governance means, later modified to that there were so many varying interpretations that there was no common understanding
Brian Easton speculates about what was in the Briefing Papers from officials and party officials for the senior Cabinet ministers, to prepare for the 2023 political year
30th Jan 23, 9:30am
by Brian Easton
13
Brian Easton speculates about what was in the Briefing Papers from officials and party officials for the senior Cabinet ministers, to prepare for the 2023 political year
Economist Brian Easton says people complain about their jobs being meaningless, and asks: Does it matter?
23rd Jan 23, 9:08am
by Brian Easton
19
Economist Brian Easton says people complain about their jobs being meaningless, and asks: Does it matter?
Economist Brian Easton says the two most comprehensive forecasts of the New Zealand economy are by the Reserve Bank and the Treasury. They are especially important because they inform monetary and fiscal policy. What do they say?
16th Jan 23, 8:30am
by Brian Easton
13
Economist Brian Easton says the two most comprehensive forecasts of the New Zealand economy are by the Reserve Bank and the Treasury. They are especially important because they inform monetary and fiscal policy. What do they say?
Brian Easton asks whether Modern Monetary Theory is a new way of thinking about the economy or just an old way, that was problematic in the past, dressed up to appear novel?
19th Dec 22, 9:00am
by Brian Easton
54
Brian Easton asks whether Modern Monetary Theory is a new way of thinking about the economy or just an old way, that was problematic in the past, dressed up to appear novel?
More competition is often proposed as a means of moderating monopolies and oligopolies. But economist Brian Easton argues that it may be better to reduce competition in order for the electricity industry to meet our climate change needs
12th Dec 22, 8:19am
by Brian Easton
46
More competition is often proposed as a means of moderating monopolies and oligopolies. But economist Brian Easton argues that it may be better to reduce competition in order for the electricity industry to meet our climate change needs