New Zealand’s economic data is finally showing some signs of life – but for many businesses and households, it certainly doesn’t feel like a recovery.

Nearly 3,000 hospitality businesses ceased trading in the past year, liquidations remain elevated, and unemployment is likely to take longer to turn around. At the same time, confidence is improving and economists are increasingly optimistic about what comes next.

Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker look at the conflicting signals in the economy, why the recovery may take time to reach ordinary New Zealanders, and what NZ’s march towards $1 trillion in total debt really tells us.

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New Zealand’s debt burden has nearly doubled in 10 years.

But, there are signs the country’s borrowing habits are becoming more sustainable.

New Zealand businesses have boosted their borrowings by more than $6 billion in the last year to $143b, which is a potential sign of rising confidence in the economy.

So, is debt really as bad as we think – or are the numbers telling a more nuanced story about households, businesses, and the government?

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann is with us to examine the numbers behind the nation’s march towards $1 trillion in debt.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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Christina Leung on why the NZIER Shadow Board sees rates rising further, and the balancing act between inflation control and a weak economy.

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