The bank may regret saying interest rates had stabilised. After interest rates, petrol is the next obvious risk. GDP growth is heartening, but New Zealand needs to lift GDP per person to raise living standards. Before the coalition pops the champagne, there is one final statistic that matters more than all the rest: GDP per person. With lower interest rates and the Fonterra payout, 2026 should be a better year.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 23, 2025 21:34 UTC