Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the Treasury revising economic forecasts ahead of the Budget

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the Treasury revising economic forecasts ahead of the Budget

From Early Edition with Ryan Bridge by Newstalk ZB

April 24, 2026 · 4 min

About this episode

Brad Olsen discusses the challenges facing the New Zealand Government's Budget due to revised economic forecasts and the impact of the war in Iran.

Some challenging Budget decisions ahead for the Government due to the ongoing war in Iran.  Treasury officials are revisiting their economic forecasts for next month's Budget, just weeks before it's due to be delivered.  International credit agency Moody's has downgraded New Zealand's economic outlook from stable to negative, noting the Government's later-than-expected return to surplus.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge the Government's finances weren't in great shape, even before the war.  He says the Government wasn't projected to be back in surplus until the end of the decade.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Brad Olsen

Topics covered

  • economic forecasts
  • Budget
  • New Zealand economy
  • government finances
  • Moody's downgrade

Keywords

  • Treasury
  • Infometrics
  • surplus
  • Iran war

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iran, New Zealand's

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