Wellington Business Editor, Jenée Tibshraeny, covers business, the economy and public policy for the Business Herald.
I am the Business Herald’s eyes and ears in Parliament. Based in the press gallery, I have an insight into how politics influences decision-making that affects the economy. “Business” doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so I believe it’s important to understand how the environment in which it operates is managed. I am also of the view “the economy” is ultimately about people. While I do a fair bit of number crunching, I love chewing the fat with those in the know and hearing people’s stories. I like getting to the nub of an issue; identifying the root cause of something that materially affects our lives. Accordingly, I mainly cover Reserve Bank issues, housing, energy, banking, insurance, and Wellington business more broadly. Prior to joining the Herald in May 2022, I spent seven years at interest.co.nz in Auckland and Wellington. I started my career working as a reporter and researcher for what’s now known as Newshub Nation, before spending a couple of years in New Plymouth as Newstalk ZB’s Central North Island reporter. I trust my work will be of use to those in both business and policy making, as well as individuals interested in their back pockets.

‘A sigh of relief’: Radio host Nick Mills ends battle with Inland Revenue over debt
Inland Revenue's bid to liquidate Nick Mills' companies 'discontinued'.

Govt considers getting us to contribute more to KiwiSaver
Willis mulls changes as Treasury notes “chronic" pressures NZ Super puts on govt finances.

IMF cautions Govt against pushing Reserve Bank too hard
Organisation releases findings of NZ economy review.

Tax rules to be changed to keep wealthy migrants in NZ
Government responds to calls for changes to the FIF regime.

How Orr’s departure from the RBNZ could benefit banks and lift the OCR
BNZ economist Stephen Toplis issues a warning.

What the PM knew about the new Commerce Minister’s link to the grocery sector
Luxon assures the conflict has been managed well.

Willis gets advice on overriding controversial RBNZ rules championed by Orr
Finance Minister says some deregulation could boost the economy.

The new Commerce Minister, the family member and why he can’t tackle the supermarket duopoly
Scott Simpson says he will have nothing to do with grocery sector regulation.

Property investors are back, borrowing almost twice as much as a year ago
Will they send house prices through the roof again?

IRD sets sights on taxing 9000 clubs, societies and other not-for-profits
Tax expert worried about administrative nightmare.

Radio host’s plan to settle tax debts falls through at eleventh hour
Nick Mills and Inland Revenue can't agree on whether they have an agreement.

Jenée Tibshraeny: What will become of Andrew Bayly’s ambitious reform agenda?
OPINION: Will Nicola Willis pick up more of the mantle of commerce change?

Home owners face $400 hike as disaster insurance levy set to rise
Treasury consults on how much the Natural Hazards Insurance Levy needs to rise by.

How much bigger could the economy be if the corporate tax rate was cut?
Deloitte economist shares her tax modelling.

NZ First ‘woke’ bank bill drawn from ballot, but not backed by National and Act – yet
Parties consider whether to crack down on de-banking.

‘Don’t get upset' - Adrian Orr’s mortgage rate warning
Global instability could soften domestic interest rate relief.

Public Service boss mulls axing govt departments, PM reacts
Public Service Commissioner considers culling entities to tackle double-ups, waste.

‘Let’s do a deal': Government invites new entrants to disrupt supermarket sector
Nicola Willis happy to give disruptors VIP treatment.

Politicians to grill bank bosses again; ASB CEO happy to ‘get the facts on the table’
ASB's half year profit rises by 2% to $763m.

Could $50b ACC investment fund be better managed? Govt commissions review
Minister wants to remove 'constraints' limiting ACC's returns.

Corporate tax rate cut unlikely to spur growth, but three other things could work, expert says
Call for more targeted tax tweaks as economy languishes.

‘We can’t leave tax off the table’ – Willis talks up business-friendly tax tweaks
Corporate tax rate cut and relief for investors in foreign firms up for consideration.

Radio host given three weeks to settle tax debts to save his restaurants
Nick Mills puts personal assets and businesses up for sale.

Suncorp sells Asteron Life to Bermuda-based giant in $410m deal
Resolution Life assures the acquisition is different to its 2020 purchase of AMP Life.

Bank switching among mortgage holders hits record high
Floating or going short term makes it easier for borrowers to change bank.

Wellington radio host’s hospo businesses face liquidation
Nick Mills' battle with Inland Revenue to go to court.

We don’t always know what government spending achieves - Auditor-General speaks out
Finance Minister open to addressing the issue with a law change.

ANZ follows rivals, cutting mortgage and savings rates
Bank's one-year fixed mortgage rates particularly competitive.

Inflation rate will give clues on how much more the OCR will be cut
December quarter inflation figures to shed light on where the OCR may settle.

Borrowers bet on big rate cuts, as popularity of floating rates surges
Should recent bond market volatility dent their confidence?

'Let’s not panic, but let’s actually sort it out' - Treasury boss on NZ’s deteriorating finances
Iain Rennie on taking the helm at the Treasury amid stormy clouds.

Government debt’s whopper increase sparks warning from S&P Global Ratings
Demand for bonds may well stay strong, but there's a catch.

No surplus in sight: Creative accounting used to mask deterioration in Govt books
Debt issuance is expected to rise by more than expected.

How many years will NZ be in deficit? Treasury to reveal updated forecast
Will spending cuts alone get the books back into surplus?

'It will not be the end' – Gloriavale CEO responds to BNZ closing accounts
Govt declines request to put statutory manager in place to manage Gloriavale's finances.

Hefty ACC levy hikes confirmed for next three years
The Government is to commission a review of the state insurer, as costs soar.

Jenée Tibshraeny: Government caution on Kiwibank capitalisation a win – for now
OPINION: Why seeking local private investment in Kiwibank is a win for the Govt – for now.

Gloriavale risks closure after court allows BNZ to shut its accounts
Two-year legal dispute over BNZ's bid to ditch Gloriavale ends.

Popularity of short term mortgage borrowing surges – at a cost
Nearly 90% of new mortgage lending in October was floating or fixed for a year or less.

Revolut applies for NZ banking licence
Fintech hopes licence will enable it to offer new products and enhance consumers' trust.

Competition shake-up: 'Ambitious' reviews of Commerce Act, ComCom
Government to crack down on 'creeping acquisitions'.

Aggrieved by your employer, but also in the wrong? Your payout could be wiped
Brooke van Velden details employment law change flagged in National-Act agreement.

Charity tax crackdown likely to be unveiled at Budget 2025 - Willis
Best Start and Sanitarium could be among the charities forced to pay more tax.

Govt wants users of new infrastructure squeezed before it opens its wallet
Minister also creates new pathway for private sector to pitch projects.

Jenée Tibshraeny: There's only so much low interest rates can do to fire up the economy
OPINION: The RBNZ believes there's less room to cut rates without reigniting inflation.

Reserve Bank governor's warning to homeowners after OCR cut
Borrowers told to curb some of their enthusiasm.

Govt paves way for private sector to build more social housing
Minister details how the Govt will help community housing providers secure finance.

Deloitte Top 200: How CFOs are planning for the unexpected
Nicola Taylor on why it's all about scenario-planning.

'We’re not going to be a slave to a surplus' - Associate Finance Minister
Expectations tempered around return to surplus in 2027/28.

Councils in growth areas given green light to borrow more
New pathway created for councils to lift debt caps.

Banks blame red tape for behind the ball on innovation
Reserve Bank says leaving banks to their own devices hasn't worked.

New Treasury boss: Public sector insider Iain Rennie appointed for five years
Rennie has served governments across the political spectrum.

Are tech companies banks' biggest competitors? ASB CEO thinks so
Debate rages over who should capitalise tech companies.

Apartment owners bear brunt of insurance premium hikes - Treasury reveals by how much
Treasury research identifies notable jumps in Auckland.

Revealed: Who will pay what to insure your savings
Nicola Willis solidifies her position in the competition vs financial stability debate.

Will falling interest rates weaken bank profits? BNZ boss weighs in
Dan Huggins: Banks' abilities to cut deposit rates are limited in a competitive market.

RBNZ: Trump presidency will be marginally inflationary
Governor Adrian Orr says the world has gone past 'peak global trade'.

'There is no one dominant bank' – Rabobank tells politicians
Board chairman discredits ComCom's suggestion Kiwibank could be a 'maverick' bank.

Geopolitics tops Reserve Bank's risk radar
Markets may get more fragmented if conflict and 'deglobalisation' intensify, RBNZ says.

Westpac’s profit jumps 10% as it puts less money aside for bad debts
CEO says bank 'acted swiftly'' to pass falling interest rates on to customers.

Documents reveal Treasury’s fears for Health NZ's finances: 'The more we hear, the worse it sounds'
Treasury expects the desired $2b in savings will be extremely hard to achieve.

BNZ’s push to ditch Gloriavale risks destroying the religious community
BNZ argues it has the contractual right to de-bank Gloriavale.

Revealed: NZ organisations with fair gender representation at the top
CEOs discuss how to avoid making women feel like 'gender hires'.

Property investors are back, borrowing like they did in 2021
Will new debt-to-income restrictions prevent the market from really taking off?

Orr raises concerns about over-priced equities
Reserve Bank Governor wary of geopolitical risks and tensions.

Why savers are expected to start spreading their money
How a new deposit compensation scheme could see a big shifting of funds.

'We need to provide our shareholders a fair return' – ANZ boss hits back at politicians
Antonia Watson defends ANZ's high profits.

ACC sets aside $3.6b for 100,000 childhood abuse survivors
ACC puts $3.6 billion aside, as it prepares to significantly expand its cover.

Health sector woes contribute to ACC's books plunging $7.2b into deficit
The Government is to decide whether to increase ACC levies.

NZ Film Commission slammed for 'six-figure junket' to Cannes
A reel-y big junket? Film Commission says it actually cut spending this year.

Bishop bows out of fast-track decision involving Winton Land
How ministers managed potential conflicts of interest choosing projects for fast-tracking.

Public service shrinks by 2162 people in six months - Govt wants more cuts
Willis says departments should plan to receive no new funding for cost pressures.

'Sobering': Govt books sink further into the red than expected
Treasury wary of higher Health NZ staff costs and ACC claims costs.

Will savers be stung more than borrowers benefit from falling interest rates?
Banks could profiteer from the changing interest rate environment.

RBNZ pays Crown whopper $600m dividend, but there's a catch
The Reserve Bank gives with one hand, but takes with the other.

Banks stress testing mortgage customers at nearly 9%, despite looming OCR cuts
Broker sees another hurdle on the horizon once rates fall.

Reserve Bank fires shot at critics - says it isn't hurting farmers and businesses
Regulator argues its bank capital rules aren't hurting farmers and businesses.