i

Economic insights

What are the macro-level economic forces affecting New Zealand’s position and performance? And what impact will they have, now and in the future?

Register for email updates

Economic insights reports

Economic Weekly

This highly popular report recalls key domestic and international developments from the previous week, and alerts you to those expected in the week ahead. It also highlights our medium-term outlook for interest rates and currencies.

Monthly Calendar

A must-have desktop tool that alerts you to key local and international central bank announcements and other data releases.

Economic Note

A collation of our research on a variety of topics, including the central bank’s interest rate decisions, economic growth, inflation and employment surveys. It also expresses our views on the relevance of these events for the economic outlook.

Quarterly Economic Forecasts

This report provides forward-looking insights into local economic trends and key macroeconomic variables. It also contains ASB forecasts on key interest and exchange rates, and sharp commentary on international developments.

Sustainable Economics

This report series focuses on the transition to a zero-carbon economy, including the opportunities and challenges this present for New Zealand.

Latest reports

Contact us

All enquiries from the media should be directed to our economics team:

Nick Tuffley

ASB Chief Economist

Since starting out in 1997 as an economist, it's fair to say Nick has seen a few hair-raising moments over the years, including the Asian Financial Crisis and the Global Financial Crisis.

One of Nick's strengths is his ability to communicate complex ideas in a readily understandable and entertaining way.  He thrives on helping people understand the economic environment to help enrich the quality of their business or personal life. He’s proud to lead a team that has won two Forecast Accuracy Awards from Consensus Economics, and has a strong track record with their Official Cash Rate and dairy price forecasts. 

Nick grew up in Christchurch and graduated with a Master of Commerce degree from the University of Canterbury.  He learned his economic ropes at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand before a long stint as a Senior Economist at Westpac, and joined ASB as Chief Economist in 2007.

Mark Smith

Senior Economist

Mark joined ASB in 2017, with over 20 years of public and private sector experience working as an economist in New Zealand and the UK.

His resume includes lengthy stints at ANZ and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and he has also worked at the Bank of England, HM Treasury and the New Zealand Transport Agency. Mark's areas of specialisation include interest rate strategy, macro-economic analysis and urban economics.

Born and bred in the Waikato, Mark studied at Waikato University where he graduated with a Master of Social Sciences, majoring in Economics.

Mark's key strengths are the ability to use his extensive experience, inquisitive nature, analytical ability, creativity and pragmatism to dig a little deeper and to deliver common sense solutions to tackle complex problems.

When not at work Mark likes to travel, keep fit and spend time with his friends and family.

Chris Tennent-Brown

ASB Wealth Senior Economist

Chris has worked as an economist for ASB and Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney since 2005. His work has involved monitoring and forecasting trends in the New Zealand economy, with a focus on drawing implications for financial markets and investments. Chris is passionate about savings issues, and much of his current work is focussed on broadening peoples understanding of investments. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University, majoring in Economics, and prior to joining ASB worked in the funds management industry for Bankers Trust and BT Funds Management. With over 20 years' experience in finance, Chris has also spent several years farming, and was a New Zealand representative cyclist. When not at work, Chris likes to travel, cycle, and spend time with his family and numerous pets.

Kim Mundy

Senior Economist

Kim joined ASB in 2015 and has worked for both ASB and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney over the last 8 years. Kim enjoys all facets of working as a bank economist, including economic forecasting as well as more in-depth macro-economic analysis. She has a particular expertise in foreign exchange strategy and a keen interest in sustainable economics. She also enjoys getting out and about to help people better understand the economic environment they are operating in.

Kim grew up in Northland before heading to Auckland University where she graduated with a BA/BCom (1st class honours) in Economics, Statistics and Politics. She also interned with the New Zealand Treasury while completing her studies before starting her career as an economic consultant.

Other reports

Economic Insights Reports - Economic Research | ASB