Craig Renney
@clrenney.bsky.social
NZCTU/Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist & Director of Policy. Treasury Security Risk. Believer in a Better Aotearoa. Also at https://craigrenney.substack.com/
#nzpol - In episode 27 of Locked Out with Craig Renney, we take a look at the recent Labour Market Data, and look at what’s happening with unemployment, underemployment, and wages. Who is losing, and is anyone winning right now? Hint - it's unlikely to be you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Ex...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Ex...
Ep27 Unemployment rate rises to 9 year high of 5.3%
YouTube video by Big Hairy Network
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
#nzpol - In episode 27 of Locked Out with Craig Renney, we take a look at the recent Labour Market Data, and look at what’s happening with unemployment, underemployment, and wages. Who is losing, and is anyone winning right now? Hint - it's unlikely to be you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Ex...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Ex...
Nearly five thousand nights on this set of islands. Never gets old.
November 5, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Nearly five thousand nights on this set of islands. Never gets old.
#nzpol Unemployment reached a 9 year of 5.3%. The labour market took another turn for the worse - unemployment growing, underemployment growing, fewer hours being worked, and wages are not keeping up with inflation. This data is another sign the economy is not working. A thread
November 4, 2025 at 10:11 PM
#nzpol Unemployment reached a 9 year of 5.3%. The labour market took another turn for the worse - unemployment growing, underemployment growing, fewer hours being worked, and wages are not keeping up with inflation. This data is another sign the economy is not working. A thread
#nzpol On Morning Report today Ingrid said "Should we say green shoots?" in response to a tiny lift in MBIE job ads. Anything that shows a better labour market should be welcomed - but is that really what's going on? The honest answer is not really - job ads are down 30% in 2 years. A🧵
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 AM
#nzpol On Morning Report today Ingrid said "Should we say green shoots?" in response to a tiny lift in MBIE job ads. Anything that shows a better labour market should be welcomed - but is that really what's going on? The honest answer is not really - job ads are down 30% in 2 years. A🧵
#nzpol Filled jobs out this week - and the number of filled jobs went up - Whoop! That's great news. Only 45,692 jobs to go until we are back to where we were at the election.
Something happened in November 2023, and jobs started to fall....
Something happened in November 2023, and jobs started to fall....
October 29, 2025 at 3:09 AM
#nzpol Filled jobs out this week - and the number of filled jobs went up - Whoop! That's great news. Only 45,692 jobs to go until we are back to where we were at the election.
Something happened in November 2023, and jobs started to fall....
Something happened in November 2023, and jobs started to fall....
#nzpol The CTU is releasing the latest policy on its programme for the next election - a New Deal for Workers. Fair Pay Agreements. Preventing workers from being forced to be contractors, when they are really employees. Simplifying access to
Unions.
More at: union.org.nz/wp-content/u...
Unions.
More at: union.org.nz/wp-content/u...
union.org.nz
October 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
#nzpol The CTU is releasing the latest policy on its programme for the next election - a New Deal for Workers. Fair Pay Agreements. Preventing workers from being forced to be contractors, when they are really employees. Simplifying access to
Unions.
More at: union.org.nz/wp-content/u...
Unions.
More at: union.org.nz/wp-content/u...
#nzpol Labour is proposing to create a Capital Gains Tax on property - excluding farms and the family home. That income will help make GP visits free for the majority of people. Is that a better policy than continuing tax-free profits on, say, someone's seventh property? Absolutely. A🧵
Release: Targeted tax to grow the economy and fund free doctor’s visits
www.labour.org.nz
October 27, 2025 at 9:09 PM
#nzpol Labour is proposing to create a Capital Gains Tax on property - excluding farms and the family home. That income will help make GP visits free for the majority of people. Is that a better policy than continuing tax-free profits on, say, someone's seventh property? Absolutely. A🧵
Reposted by Craig Renney
Unions are made of workers
Unions are made of workers
The government’s disdain for unions and love for teachers, doctors and nurses is slightly confusing given unions are made up of teachers, doctors and nurses....
thespinoff.co.nz
October 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Unions are made of workers
#nzpol I never thought that I would see the day when the Public Service Commission was used as an attack arm of the government. National Party polling must be telling them how popular the strikes are, and how unpopular they are. They are afraid.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Public Service Commission's ads targeting strike 'absolutely unbelievable' - Labour
Public Service Commission defends use of social media ads about public sector negotiations.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 21, 2025 at 3:10 AM
#nzpol I never thought that I would see the day when the Public Service Commission was used as an attack arm of the government. National Party polling must be telling them how popular the strikes are, and how unpopular they are. They are afraid.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
#nzpol Nicola Willis at Budget 25 - I always take pause to celebrate that since our government came to office inflation has returned to normal levels”. The cost of living increased 3% when wages are up 2.4%. The government’s laser-like focus on the cost of living should have gone to Specsavers. A🧵
October 19, 2025 at 10:18 PM
#nzpol Nicola Willis at Budget 25 - I always take pause to celebrate that since our government came to office inflation has returned to normal levels”. The cost of living increased 3% when wages are up 2.4%. The government’s laser-like focus on the cost of living should have gone to Specsavers. A🧵
#nzpol with Andrew Little and the new Labour Councillors, celebrating the victory in Wellington. 31,000 doors knocked on, 8,000 phone calls made. Wellington is in safe hands and has a brighter future.
October 11, 2025 at 5:16 AM
#nzpol with Andrew Little and the new Labour Councillors, celebrating the victory in Wellington. 31,000 doors knocked on, 8,000 phone calls made. Wellington is in safe hands and has a brighter future.
#nzpol
Episode 25 of Locked Out with Craig Renney looks at the singularly most idiotic policy launched yet by the government. Visible from space levels of moronic. Have watch now 😄
youtu.be/8aTWMV6ULIc?...
Episode 25 of Locked Out with Craig Renney looks at the singularly most idiotic policy launched yet by the government. Visible from space levels of moronic. Have watch now 😄
youtu.be/8aTWMV6ULIc?...
Ep25 The singularly most stupid policy yet launched by the Coalition government
YouTube video by Big Hairy Network
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 4:03 AM
#nzpol
Episode 25 of Locked Out with Craig Renney looks at the singularly most idiotic policy launched yet by the government. Visible from space levels of moronic. Have watch now 😄
youtu.be/8aTWMV6ULIc?...
Episode 25 of Locked Out with Craig Renney looks at the singularly most idiotic policy launched yet by the government. Visible from space levels of moronic. Have watch now 😄
youtu.be/8aTWMV6ULIc?...
#nzpol
GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨
Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision
GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨
Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision
October 9, 2025 at 12:22 AM
#nzpol
GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨
Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision
GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨
Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision
#nzpol The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate by 0.5%. That sounds great. But banks only cut interest rates that much when the economy is in trouble - and not when things are going well. This cut is a sign of economic weakness, not strength. A 😄🧵
October 8, 2025 at 2:18 AM
#nzpol The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate by 0.5%. That sounds great. But banks only cut interest rates that much when the economy is in trouble - and not when things are going well. This cut is a sign of economic weakness, not strength. A 😄🧵
#nzpol Sometimes a policy is so stupid it makes you question the very fabric of reality. Decisions so fabulously, almost wantonly dumb, you wonder if we actually live in a simulation. Welcome to the world of removing Jobseeker Support for 18 & 19-year-olds. craigrenney.substack.com/p/a-small-wr...
A small wrinkle in the Jobseeker policy
The government’s recent changes to benefits feel like this: the house is on fire, and this policy is them turning off the smoke alarm and saying it’s fixed
craigrenney.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:58 PM
#nzpol Sometimes a policy is so stupid it makes you question the very fabric of reality. Decisions so fabulously, almost wantonly dumb, you wonder if we actually live in a simulation. Welcome to the world of removing Jobseeker Support for 18 & 19-year-olds. craigrenney.substack.com/p/a-small-wr...
#nzpol The government has announced that 18/19 year olds, who live in a household where the parents earn $65,529 or more, can't claim jobseekers support. If both parents work 27 hours on the minimum wage - $634 a week - they will be expected to now financially support their adult offspring. A 🧵
October 5, 2025 at 6:56 AM
#nzpol The government has announced that 18/19 year olds, who live in a household where the parents earn $65,529 or more, can't claim jobseekers support. If both parents work 27 hours on the minimum wage - $634 a week - they will be expected to now financially support their adult offspring. A 🧵
#nzpol 20 Economists have penned an open letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance - asking for change. The contents and signatories to the letter are at: craigrenney.substack.com/p/open-lette...
Open Letter to Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Our current economic approach is causing real harm. We need to change track
craigrenney.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
#nzpol 20 Economists have penned an open letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance - asking for change. The contents and signatories to the letter are at: craigrenney.substack.com/p/open-lette...
Reposted by Craig Renney
September 30, 2025 at 5:51 AM
#nzpol The CTU has today released its report on electricity in NZ. We are calling for electricity generators to be brought back into public ownership - and to recognise electricity for what it really is - a public utility - not just a source of profit. 🧵 www.reimagineaotearoa.nz/publicly_own...
Publicly Owned Electricity
Reimagining Aotearoa Together
www.reimagineaotearoa.nz
September 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
#nzpol The CTU has today released its report on electricity in NZ. We are calling for electricity generators to be brought back into public ownership - and to recognise electricity for what it really is - a public utility - not just a source of profit. 🧵 www.reimagineaotearoa.nz/publicly_own...
#nzpol Monthly employment data - and there are 4,814 more jobs than this time last month! Whoop. Only 42,746 to go to get us to where we were at the last election. 62 jobs lost every single day of this government, one roughly every 23 minutes. A 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
#nzpol Monthly employment data - and there are 4,814 more jobs than this time last month! Whoop. Only 42,746 to go to get us to where we were at the last election. 62 jobs lost every single day of this government, one roughly every 23 minutes. A 🧵
#nzpol with @NZHerald's Mood of the Boardroom showing that even NZ’s executive suite prefer Barbara Edmonds over Nicola Willis, we ask why is the New Zealand economy so bad, and what needs to change to improve it? Watch Locked Out ep:23 now
youtu.be/5HnB64l16co?...
youtu.be/5HnB64l16co?...
Ep23 Why is the New Zealand economy so bad?
YouTube video by Big Hairy Network
youtu.be
September 25, 2025 at 6:28 AM
#nzpol with @NZHerald's Mood of the Boardroom showing that even NZ’s executive suite prefer Barbara Edmonds over Nicola Willis, we ask why is the New Zealand economy so bad, and what needs to change to improve it? Watch Locked Out ep:23 now
youtu.be/5HnB64l16co?...
youtu.be/5HnB64l16co?...
#nzpol
Do we have to do this all the time?
beehive.govt.nz/release/20-mil…
It’s not new funding. “the initiative will be funded from Health New Zealand’s baseline”. So it’s actually being cut from somewhere else.
We already underfunded the health system at the Budget. This is a further cut
Do we have to do this all the time?
beehive.govt.nz/release/20-mil…
It’s not new funding. “the initiative will be funded from Health New Zealand’s baseline”. So it’s actually being cut from somewhere else.
We already underfunded the health system at the Budget. This is a further cut
https://beehive.govt.nz/release/20-mil…
September 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
#nzpol
Do we have to do this all the time?
beehive.govt.nz/release/20-mil…
It’s not new funding. “the initiative will be funded from Health New Zealand’s baseline”. So it’s actually being cut from somewhere else.
We already underfunded the health system at the Budget. This is a further cut
Do we have to do this all the time?
beehive.govt.nz/release/20-mil…
It’s not new funding. “the initiative will be funded from Health New Zealand’s baseline”. So it’s actually being cut from somewhere else.
We already underfunded the health system at the Budget. This is a further cut
#nzpol Big turnout for the Women’s Day of Action for pay equity. Billions of dollars have been stolen from low-paid female dominated workforces. This government can find huge tax cuts for tobacco companies, landlords, and big businesses - but not fair pay. That must change.
September 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
#nzpol Big turnout for the Women’s Day of Action for pay equity. Billions of dollars have been stolen from low-paid female dominated workforces. This government can find huge tax cuts for tobacco companies, landlords, and big businesses - but not fair pay. That must change.
#nzpol
Locked Out has had a look at the recent GDP numbers.
Guess what? They’re not great, and there is no plan to make it work.
Have a watch now:
youtu.be/RQgR2S6aaTI?...
Locked Out has had a look at the recent GDP numbers.
Guess what? They’re not great, and there is no plan to make it work.
Have a watch now:
youtu.be/RQgR2S6aaTI?...
Ep22 GDP in free fall, it couldn't be any worse
YouTube video by Big Hairy Network
youtu.be
September 18, 2025 at 6:52 AM
#nzpol
Locked Out has had a look at the recent GDP numbers.
Guess what? They’re not great, and there is no plan to make it work.
Have a watch now:
youtu.be/RQgR2S6aaTI?...
Locked Out has had a look at the recent GDP numbers.
Guess what? They’re not great, and there is no plan to make it work.
Have a watch now:
youtu.be/RQgR2S6aaTI?...
#nzpol
The minimum wage increased 1.5% this year. Data from Stats NZ shows:
- Food prices up 5%
- Fruit & Veg up 8.9%
- Meat up 9.4%
- Bread up 9.5% (white sliced up 41.7%)
- Cheese up 14.3%
- Milk up 15%
- Electricity up 11.4%
Laser focused on the cost of living
www.stats.govt.nz/information-...
The minimum wage increased 1.5% this year. Data from Stats NZ shows:
- Food prices up 5%
- Fruit & Veg up 8.9%
- Meat up 9.4%
- Bread up 9.5% (white sliced up 41.7%)
- Cheese up 14.3%
- Milk up 15%
- Electricity up 11.4%
Laser focused on the cost of living
www.stats.govt.nz/information-...
Selected price indexes: August 2025 | Stats NZ
Food prices increased 0.3 percent in the month of August 2025, and increased by 5.0 percent in the 12 months to August 2025.
www.stats.govt.nz
September 15, 2025 at 11:55 PM
#nzpol
The minimum wage increased 1.5% this year. Data from Stats NZ shows:
- Food prices up 5%
- Fruit & Veg up 8.9%
- Meat up 9.4%
- Bread up 9.5% (white sliced up 41.7%)
- Cheese up 14.3%
- Milk up 15%
- Electricity up 11.4%
Laser focused on the cost of living
www.stats.govt.nz/information-...
The minimum wage increased 1.5% this year. Data from Stats NZ shows:
- Food prices up 5%
- Fruit & Veg up 8.9%
- Meat up 9.4%
- Bread up 9.5% (white sliced up 41.7%)
- Cheese up 14.3%
- Milk up 15%
- Electricity up 11.4%
Laser focused on the cost of living
www.stats.govt.nz/information-...