Stories by Patrick O'Meara

Firms have been told to expect to pay more - and wait longer - to get goods delivered after the earthquakes.

Analysis - The rebuild from Monday's quakes is expected to cost billions, but it won't come close to Christchurch's $45bn bill.

John Key still plans to go to this weekend's APEC gathering in Peru after delaying travel due to the quake, with a NZ envoy saying "all bets are off" after the US election.

Analysis - The prospect of a Donald Trump presidency in the United States is not sitting well with those charged with looking at the impact on New Zealand's economy, writes Patrick O'Meara.

New Zealand's case for a trade deal with Europe will be on the agenda this week with the visit of the largest ever Dutch trade mission to this country.

Foreigners have been snapping up dairy farms in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, as debt-laden farmers cut their losses and leave.

The number of building consents rose fractionally last month, the first gain in three months, but the annual rate was the highest in more than a decade.

Baby boomers who've become asset-rich as property prices rocket aren't to blame for the affordability crisis, an economist says.

New Zealand has recorded its largest ever monthly deficit, partly due to expensive aircraft imports.

New Zealand could be a casualty if the European Union's trade pact with Canada collapses, a dairy industry lobby group says.

The debate about immigration levels is likely to intensify as figures show New Zealand continues to attract people in record numbers.

An already sluggish pace of inflation has slowed even further.

A secret multi-trillion dollar trade deal is prompting questions about whether New Zealand would be signing away its right to make some laws.

The government is being urged to fix the country's growing social ills rather than 'bribe' people with tax cuts, after its budget surplus swelled to $1.8 billion.

Underemployment or low contracted hours is "endemic" in retail throughout New Zealand, according to a union.

Spending on electronic cards had its biggest monthly rise in a decade, boosted by a booming tourism sector and a swelling population.

Analysis - Some commentators are pessmistic over TPP's prospects in the US but New Zealand's ambassador and former trade negotiator Tim Groser isn't one of them, writes Patrick O'Meara.

A more upbeat tone about the prospects for the global economy is not stopping the government from preparing for the worst.

The number of people halting payments into KiwiSaver has jumped, raising fears that households are digging into future earnings to make ends meet.

A wave of overseas money flowing into the food processing industry has heightened fears that New Zealand is losing control over its biggest export earner.

The number of people coming to New Zealand to live, study and work has returned to a record-equalling high, but student numbers have fallen.

Councils have a crucial role in expanding their local economy but should not be running businesses, an employment group says.

New Zealand's economy is among the fastest growing in the developed world, but the mining sector is continuing to struggle.

With some council debts reaching their limits, an economist is calling for more creative solutions to funding essential infrastructure projects.

The economy is continuing to expand at a steady pace, thanks to strong domestic and export demand.