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New Zealand Reviews Transport Rules to Improve Fuel Security

The New Zealand Government said it is preparing to remove or suspend regulatory barriers that make it harder for businesses and communities to cope with global fuel shocks, according to a Monday statement from Minister for Regulation David Seymour and Minister for Transport Chris Bishop.The government is exploring several policy shifts, including allowing some heavy vehicles to carry more weight per trip, and bringing some license class weight thresholds for zero-emission vehicles in line with similar diesel vehicles.The government is also considering relaxing time and access restrictions for over-dimension vehicles and removing some restrictions on the routes that over-dimension vehicles can use and when they can travel.Seymour said that the Government intends to avoid a lockdown situation due to the oil shock and remain in the first phase of the National Fuel Response Plan for as long as possible.The statement said that the government is considering all options so they can be implemented quickly if New Zealand moves to phase two, and they expect options to be ready by the end of April if needed.In case the move to the second phase becomes less likely, some options could be reworked into more permanent changes to reduce the impact of elevated fuel prices on the economy over the medium to long-term, the statement added.

New Zealand Shares Flat; Downer EDI's AU$400 Million Senior Unsecured Notes Receive 'BBB' Rating From Fitch

New Zealand shares closed flat on Friday as Asian shares were mixed after investors digested Thursday's Wall Street session and the extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.The S&P/NZX 50 Index was little changed to close at 12,874.94.On Thursday, the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, the Nasdaq lost 0.9%, and the Dow Jones fell 0.4%.Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following White House talks facilitated by US President Donald Trump, who said he was willing to wait for "the best deal" to resolve the conflict with Iran, according to a Thursday Reuters report.In domestic news, job ads in New Zealand rose 0.8% month on month in March and were up 13% year on year, according to a Seek report.In corporate news, Downer EDI (ASX:DOW, NZE:DOW) received a "BBB" rating on its AU$400 million in 6.488% senior unsecured notes due April 2033.Henderson Far East Income's (NZE:HFL) unaudited net asset value, including current financial year revenue items, was 2.543 pounds sterling per share as of Wednesday.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Consumer Durables Sector Soars, Technology Services Sector Struggles

The consumer durables shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising almost 2% on Friday.Shares of KMD Brands (NZE:KMD, ASX:KMD) rose nearly 2% in recent trade.On the flip side, the technology services sector struggled, shedding past 3%.Shares of Gentrack Group (NZE:GTK, ASX:GTK) fell nearly 7% in recent trade.

New Zealand Job Ads Rise Slightly in March

Job ads in New Zealand rose 0.8% month on month in March and were up 13% year on year, according to a Seek report on Friday.Applications per job ad, which are recorded with a one-month lag, declined 2.8% month-on-month, continuing their downward trend.The strongest monthly growth was seen in Taranaki, which rose 2.1%, followed by Southland, up 1.9%, the report said. Auckland edged down 0.1% month on month, and Wellington was broadly flat.In industry trends, trades and services and manufacturing gained 1.8%, while transport and logistics jumped 1.9%. Construction remained unchanged, while information and communication technology edged down by 0.1%.Artificial intelligence (AI) skill demand has grown rapidly in recent years, with job ads referencing AI rising nearly 144% since March 2025 and now more than five times higher than in 2019, although they still appear in only 2.9% of job ads.

New Zealand Shares Fall; Genesis Energy Posts Lower Fiscal Q3 Retail Electricity Sales

New Zealand shares ended lower on Thursday as most Asian indexes saw losses after shipping worries continued around the Strait of Hormuz.The S&P/NZX 50 Index fell 0.47% or 60.67 points to close at 12,884.93.Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, tightening its control over the strategic waterway after US President Donald Trump said he was indefinitely suspending attacks, with no indication that peace negotiations would resume, according to a Thursday Reuters report."Markets look very on edge here. We are still in a no-war, no-peace zone, and that means even an ⁠unverified scare of escalation can jolt oil and knock risk assets lower," said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo, as quoted by Reuters.In domestic news, Moody's has revised its outlook on New Zealand's AAA credit rating to negative from stable in a move that again signals a need for checks on spending and borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said.Further, credit card spending in New Zealand increased by 0.7% month on month to NZ$4.87 billion in March after a 0.1% increase in the previous month, while credit card balances fell 0.5% to NZ$6.08 billion in March, data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed.Also, sales volumes continued to decline across New Zealand's housing market for the third consecutive month in March, down 2.4% year-over-year, Cotality saidIn corporate news, Genesis Energy (ASX:GNE, NZE:GNE) reported total retail electricity sales of 1,380 gigawatt-hours (GWh) for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, down from 1,474 GWh in the same quarter a year earlier.Comvita (NZE:CVT) launched a pro-rata renounceable rights offer to raise up to NZ$30 million to support bank refinancing.

New Zealand Housing Market Sales Volumes Fall For Third Consecutive Month in March, Cotality Says

Sales volumes continued to decline across New Zealand's housing market for the third consecutive month in March, down 2.4% year-over-year, Cotality said in a Thursday report.Sales volumes declined by 7.6% in January and 3.1% in February, according to Cotality's NZ Monthly Housing Chart Pack.The three subdued months in a row indicate a weaker first quarter than expected, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said. "It's not a sharp downturn, but it does show that confidence is still muted."National median property values rose 0.2% in March and 0.3% during the March quarter. Values across Auckland were down 0.2% over the three months ended March 31 and 3.4% lower year-over-year. Christchurch recorded a gain of 1.1% over the quarter and 2.4% year-over-year.Soft rental conditions saw rents fall 0.4% year-over-year, though gross yields hit a high of 3.9%.First home buyers dominated the market at 27% of March quarter sales, well above their long-term average of 22%.Global uncertainty, along with higher inflation and interest rate expectations, continues to weigh on confidence, Davidson added.

New Zealand Credit Card Spending Rises in March as Balances Decline

Credit card spending in New Zealand increased by 0.7% month on month to NZ$4.87 billion in March after a 0.1% increase in the previous month, while credit card balances fell 0.5% to NZ$6.08 billion in March, data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed Thursday.Domestic billings on New Zealand-issued cards rose by 0.8% to NZ$4.14 billion in March, following a 0.2% decrease in the previous month. Billings on overseas-issued cards fell to NZ$726 million from NZ$748 million.Compared with the year-earlier period, credit card spending rose 2.1% in March after a 0.6% increase a year ago.

Moody's Revises Outlook on New Zealand to Negative; Finance Minister Willis Flags Debt Servicing

Moody's has revised its outlook on New Zealand's AAA credit rating to negative from stable in a move that again signals a need for checks on spending and borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said Thursday following the ratings agency's outlook cut."Moody's choice to put New Zealand on negative watch is another warning that we can't afford to simply spend more and borrow more, or we risk higher interest rates, higher borrowing costs and more pressure on Kiwi families," Willis said.In its decision, the ratings agency pointed to persistent inflation pressures, including fuel price hikes and higher electricity costs, as well as the country's delayed return to a budget surplus, according to media reports."The [outlook] revision also confirms the need for any support delivered in response to the Middle East conflict to be temporary and targeted," Willis said, adding that debt servicing now represents the fourth-largest cost to taxpayers.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Electronic Technology Advances, Technology Services Decline

Electronic technology shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising nearly 2% by midday Thursday.Shares of ikeGPS Group (NZE:IKE, ASX:IKE) rose almost 5% in recent trade.The company on Thursday reported total revenue of around NZ$26.6 million for fiscal 2026, up 6% compared with the previous year.On the other hand, shares of technology services fell 2%.EROAD's (NZE:ERD, ASX:ERD) shares slid 4% in recent trade

New Zealand Shares Flat; Air New Zealand CFO to Resign

New Zealand shares ended flat with a positive bias on Wednesday, while Asian shares were mixed after the US decided to extend the Iran ceasefire.The S&P/NZX 50 Index was little changed to close at 12,945.60.US President Donald Trump said he would extend the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to allow more time for peace negotiations, though it remained unclear on Wednesday whether Iran or Israel would agree, according to a Wednesday Reuters report.Meanwhile, the "golden visa" program of New Zealand has lured nearly NZ$4 billion in committed and pipeline investment in its first year, the government said on Wednesday, as Wellington looks to draw wealthy migrants and growth capital, Reuters reported on Wednesday.In domestic news, a total of 14,993 metric tonnes (MT) of products were sold during the Global Dairy Trade auction held on Tuesday, with supply ranging from 14,166 to 18,737 MT, according to data from the trading platform.In corporate news, Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ, NZE:AIR) said that Chief Financial Officer Richard Thomson has resigned, effective Aug. 28.NZX (NZE:NZX) appointed Graham Law, chief financial and corporate officer, as acting chief executive, effective May 1.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Commercial Services Soar, Consumer Durables Struggle

Commercial services shares gained the most on the New Zealand Exchange, rising almost 1% by midday Wednesday.Accordant's (NZE:AGL) shares rose nearly 4% in recent trade.On the other hand, consumer durables shares dropped past 4%.KMD Brands' (NZE:KMD, ASX:KMD) shares slid past 4% in recent trade

Quantity Sold at GDT Auction Nearly Reaches 15,000 Metric Tonnes

A total of 14,993 metric tonnes (MT) of products were sold during the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction held on Tuesday, with supply ranging from 14,166 to 18,737 MT, according to data from the trading platform.The average selling price for whole milk powder was $3,666 per MT, anhydrous milk fat averaged $6,357 per MT, and mozzarella and butter averaged at $3,850 per MT and $5,702 per MT, respectively.Additionally, cheddar prices averaged $4,798 per MT, lactose averaged $1,573 per MT, and skim milk powder averaged at $3,448 per MT.

New Zealand's March-Quarter Inflation Beats Expectations

New Zealand's annual consumer inflation increased 3.1% in the March quarter, according to data from Stats NZ released Tuesday.Annual inflation for the quarter surpassed the 2.9% consensus forecast, according to Trading Economics. Westpac NZ Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod also forecast a 2.8% rise.The figure was unchanged from the 3.1% increase in the 12 months to the December 2025 quarter, the department said.The result also exceeded the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) updated forecast from its April policy update for 3% annual inflation, Westpac NZ's Ranchhod said.The figures also point to a higher headline inflation forecast by RBNZ Governor Anna Breman in a speech back in March.Electricity prices surged 12.5%, equivalent to more than 10% of the increase, Stats NZ's Prices and Deflators Spokesperson Nicola Growden said.This is the third straight quarter of electric power being the biggest contributor to annual inflation, according to Growden.Local authority rates and payments jumped 8.8% in the March quarter, contributing 8.7% to the inflation increase.Meat and poultry prices grew 8.6% during the quarter and contributed 6.4% to the annual inflation rise.Rent went up 1.2%, with prices comprising 4.6% of the total inflation rise, and gasoline prices edged up 1.1%, equivalent to a 1.3% contribution to inflation, Stats NZ said.Quarterly inflation jumped 0.9% in the March 2026 quarter compared with the December 2025 quarter, according to the department."Petrol is the third-largest expense item for New Zealand households after rent and construction," Growden said in a statement.Gasoline prices comprised 3.5% of typical household spending, according to Stats NZ, citing the 2024 CPI reweight which used household spending data.Pharmaceutical products increased 17.7% during the quarter due to a rise in prescription charges, the Stats NZ report said.Looking ahead, Westpac and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand expect inflation to peak to 4.3% in the June quarter before returning to 3.9% at the end of the year."Today's result suggests upside risk to those forecasts," Ranchhod said in his analysis.In June, oil prices, as well as related transportation and other costs, could weigh on inflation figures, Ranchhod said.

New Zealand Shares Flat; KMD Brands Secures NZ$11 Million in Retail Entitlement Offer Completion

New Zealand shares ended flat on Tuesday despite a broad-based rise in Asian shares as investors showed optimism around the US-Iran peace talks.The S&P/NZX 50 Index was little changed to close at 12,932.33.Iran is considering attending peace negotiations with the US in Pakistan, while Islamabad attempts to end a US blockade on Iranian ports, which is seen as a key obstacle to Tehran's participation, before a two-week ceasefire expires, Reuters said in a separate report, citing a senior Iranian official.Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Tuesday he had the backing of National Party lawmakers after holding a leadership confidence vote, following days of speculation that some within the party were pushing to replace him, according to a Tuesday Reuters report.In domestic news, Business confidence in New Zealand declined in the March quarter, as the US-Israel war with Iran fanned fuel prices and caused supply-chain disruptions amid worsening uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) said.Meanwhile, New Zealand's annual consumer inflation increased by 3.1% in the March quarter, unchanged from the 3.1% increase in the 12 months to the December 2025 quarter, data from Stats NZ showed.Also, New Zealand consumer prices rose 0.9% in the March quarter, with the annual inflation rate remaining unchanged at 3.1%, resulting in this quarter's inflation going above the previously anticipated 0.7% rise, Westpac said in a report.In corporate news, KMD Brands (ASX:KMD, NZE:KMD) has completed the retail component of its fully underwritten 1-for-0.73 accelerated renounceable entitlement offer, with eligible shareholders subscribing for around 182.6 million new shares at NZ$0.06 each, raising about NZ$11 million as part of a total NZ$58.5 million capital raising.Black Pearl Group (ASX:BPG, NZE:BPG) reported fiscal fourth quarter annual recurring revenue (ARR) of NZ$26.8 million, up 114% year on year.

Latest New Zealand Business Confidence Reading Has No Implications for Official Cash Rate Forecast, ANZ Research Says

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's (NZIER) first-quarter survey of business opinion returned mixed results with no specific implications for the risks around ANZ's forecast for the country's official cash rate, the bank said in a Tuesday report.Although the survey showed a pronounced decline in business confidence, deteriorating hiring and investment intentions, and an uptick in inflation indicators, past activity held up in the quarter, and capacity indicators pointed to a marginal tightening in the output gap, ANZ said.It noted that the survey reflected business sentiment at the initial stage of the Middle East conflict, as responses were spread across March. Reported past trading activity, the best indicator for gross domestic product in the survey, was relatively more positive."That said, other indicators of Q1 activity have been weaker, and the forward-looking indicators make for grim reading, so we won't be rushing to lift our GDP forecast," ANZ said.It added that experienced employment fell in the most recent survey, while future employment intentions also slumped, suggesting that a nascent recovery in employment ground to a halt.

New Zealand Consumer Price Rise Surpasses Expectations, Westpac Says

New Zealand consumer prices rose 0.9% in the March quarter, with the annual inflation rate remaining unchanged at 3.1%, resulting in this quarter's inflation going above the previously anticipated 0.7% rise, Westpac said in a report on Tuesday.The result also exceeded the Reserve Bank's updated forecast from its April policy update for 3% annual inflation, Westpac NZ senior economist Satish Ranchhod said.Underpinning the March quarter rise in consumer prices were large increases in some specific areas, including food prices, transport costs, and electricity charges and the tobacco excise tax, along with big rises in vehicle registration and health care costs.Westpac recently updated its forecasts, assuming annual inflation would peak at 4.3% in the June quarter, before slowing down to 3.9% by the end of the year, but there might be an upside risk given Tuesday's result, per the report.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Industrial Services Stocks Rise, Non-Energy Minerals Decline

Industrial services gained the most among New Zealand sectors on Tuesday, advancing 2%.Ventia Services Group (NZE:VNT, ASX:VNT) gained 2% in recent trade.Meanwhile, non-energy minerals shares fell almost 2%.Fletcher Building (NZE:FBU, ASX:FBU) was down nearly 4% in recent trade.

New Zealand's Annual Inflation Rises in March Quarter

New Zealand's annual consumer inflation increased by 3.1% in the March quarter, unchanged from the 3.1% increase in the 12 months to the December 2025 quarter, data from Stats NZ showed Tuesday.The consensus forecast was for an increase of 2.9%, according to Trading Economics.Electricity was the biggest driver of the annual inflation rate, rising by around 13%, the report said.Higher electricity prices made up over a tenth of the 3.1% annual increase, marking the third consecutive quarter in which electricity was the largest upward contributor to inflation, said Nicola Growden, prices and deflators spokesperson.Other key drivers of annual inflation included local authority rates and payments, which rose by 8.8%, meat and poultry up 8.6%, rent up 1.2%, and petrol up 1.1%.On a quarter-on-quarter basis, inflation was up 0.9% in the March quarter after a 0.6% gain in the December 2025 quarter.Higher petrol prices, which rose by 3.5%, were the main contributor to the quarterly inflation rate, while excluding petrol, the consumer price index increased by 0.8% in the March quarter."Petrol is the third-largest expense item for New Zealand households after rent and construction," Growden said.Pharmaceutical prices also rose by about 18% in the March quarter due to higher prescription charges, while confectionery, nuts and snacks, fruit, and electricity were other major contributors to the overall price increase.

Business Confidence in New Zealand Wanes in March Quarter, Says NZIER

Business confidence in New Zealand declined in the March quarter, as the US-Israel war with Iran fanned fuel prices and caused supply-chain disruptions amid worsening uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) said on Tuesday.The NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) showed that only a net 1% of firms expected better general economic conditions in the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis, a sharp fall from 39% in the December quarter.Firms' own trading activity came in flat, an upturn from a 3% drop in the prior quarter. In contrast, around 9% of firms reduced staffing during the quarter, and 5% intend to cut headcount in the next quarter amid broader plans to reduce investment in buildings, plant and machinery."Although firms' domestic trading activity remained stable in the March quarter, the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran poses a risk to the fragile recovery that had been taking shape in the New Zealand economy late last year," the think tank said in a statement.Sentiment was mixed across sectors, with building firms the most downbeat, as 28% expected deterioration in economic outlook. Manufacturing remained the most upbeat, with 34% of firms anticipating improvement.NZIER continues to believe the central bank will start its tightening cycle with a first 25 basis-point official cash rate increase in July.

New Zealand's Annual Inflation at 3.1% in March, Above RBNZ's Target of 1% to 3%