Overview of the New Zealand Economy
Page updated 5 May 2008
The Treasury publishes an annual New Zealand Economic and Financial Overview that describes the structure, performance and history of the New Zealand economy.
Background
New Zealand has a mixed economy which operates on free market principles. It has sizeable manufacturing and service sectors complementing a highly efficient agricultural sector. Exports of goods and services account for around one third of real expenditure GDP.
Annual Overview Publication
The Treasury's New Zealand Economic and Financial Overview 2008 (published in April 2008) is an excellent resource for those wanting an understanding of how New Zealand's economy operates and performs. The Overview is updated annually.
Of particular relevance are the Overview's chapters on:
- Summary - a useful introduction to the New Zealand economy and policy relating to the macroeconomic, monetary and fiscal areas.
- The Economy of New Zealand: Overview - Detailed information on the history of the New Zealand economy since World War II.
- Recent Developments and Outlook - Information on how the economy has performed in recent years.
- and chapters on particular sectors e.g. Manufacturing, External Trade.