Benje uses regional insights to empower organisations to make better decisions and monitor outcomes that matter.
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Benje Patterson has recently investigated the economic impacts of biking in plantation forests in New Zealand. As part of this research, an international case study from Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, United States was presented.
Times are tough for some households and I sometimes forget that as I go about my day-to-day. I […]
Labour market data to March 2023 has highlighted ongoing strength in the job market and sharply higher wages - the data will reinforce the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's case for an increase to the official cash rate at its 24 May review.
A report by regional economist Benje Patterson aims to highlight the contribution of Timaru and South Canterbury’s primary sector exports, and was commissioned by economic development agency Venture Timaru. Exports from the region totalled $3.9 billion in 2022.
The Minister has boiled Queenstown-Lakes' problem down to an acute shortage of affordable housing that we must build our way out of, but this belittles our short-term problem. Many people living in cars in Queenstown are not poor, with most employed and earning far more than even a living wage - they simply can’t find a house to rent at any price point.
This report puts the spotlight on worker sentiment and employment conditions in Queenstown-Lakes compared to New Zealand. The data shows that workers in Queenstown-Lakes consistently reported higher levels of workplace satisfaction and better employment conditions than the New Zealand average.
A recent report by Benje Patterson estimates that there were 272,328 guest nights by silver tourists on the West Coast at the pre-Covid tourism peak, which equated to 21% of all guest nights in the region. The silver tourism economy, defined as touristic activity by people aged 65 years and over, represents a key growth opportunity for tourism in the West Coast.
The silver tourism economy is a big deal for New Zealand – with silver tourists representing one in five travellers across the country. Silver tourists are travellers aged 65 years and older. As a cohort these older travellers are often overlooked, but silver tourists represent a key growth opportunity for tourism across our regions.
I recently participated in a panel interview with NBR on how New Zealand responds to shocks. My fellow panelists were former Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard and academic Ilan Noy.
GDP fell 0.6% in the December quarter. Although this is the first official quarter of decline, it almost certainly marks the start of a recession, with economic activity likely to fall further in the March quarter. I am less convinced it will be the shallow 'goldilocks' recession the RBNZ has projected
New Zealand's current account deficit expanded to a record 8.9% of GDP in December and could risk a credit rating downgrade for New Zealand. Cool the jets with too much frivolous debt-fueled consumption.
My professional focus is on regional economics, with many projects looking at the role of recreation and leisure activities on our local economies. What many of you probably don’t know is that work is deeply personal for me, and I moonlight as an aspiring ultra runner in 100 mile races.