Provision of debt relief could avert rapid slump
New Zealand’s economic emergency package is too cumbersome and slow, writes Peter Lyons.
Peter Lyons
World fearful of China sideswipe
World fearful of China sideswipe
Peter Lyons explains global economics for fun-loving petrolheads.
Dogma blind to power imbalances
Dogma blind to power imbalances
The effect on unemployment of increasing the minimum wage is most uncertain, writes Peter Lyons.
Investment guru? There's no such thing
Investment guru? There's no such thing
Peter Lyons, from his classroom's perspective, outlines lessons on investing.
A cost we must address
A cost we must address
Peter Lyons examines the cost-of-living conundrum.
Finance firm heads: admit your failings
Finance firm heads: admit your failings
The finance company debacle is an incredibly sad indictment of some leading figures in our society, writes Peter Lyons.
Southland shock should be mitigated
Southland shock should be mitigated
Peter Lyons looks at the issues facing the Government over the Tiwai aluminium smelter.
System held together by workers' goodwill
System held together by workers' goodwill
Peter Lyons writes in praise of the public service.
Questioning, challenge critical to our progress
Questioning, challenge critical to our progress
Peter Lyons writes in praise of critical thinkers.
Why monetary policy, low interest rates failing
Why monetary policy, low interest rates failing
Peter Lyons asks where the economic recovery is coming from.
I will teach my pupils to make me rich
I will teach my pupils to make me rich
A key rule of economics is that incentives shape human behaviour for better or worse.
Quality of life's journey depends on happenstance
Quality of life's journey depends on happenstance
Peter Lyons reflects on lessons on life learned from his father.
Solicitous investing will help close rich/poor gap
Solicitous investing will help close rich/poor gap
Peter Lyons asks if income inequality is actually an economic problem.
Privatisation driven by ideology
Privatisation driven by ideology
Peter Lyons looks at the rationale behind the Government's recent proposed partial privatisation of state assets and gauges whether they stack up.
Prosperity not study's corollary
Prosperity not study's corollary
Education may not be the key to national prosperity. Major changes in the funding of tertiary education will start biting this year. Universities, polytechnics and other tertiary educators are...
A chip in the casino of international finance
A chip in the casino of international finance
Dear Dr Bollard,You recently raised short-term interest rates as part of your mandate to control inflation. However, the end of the recession appears largely a statistical occurrence rather...
View from ledge on the precipice
View from ledge on the precipice
In 2007-08, the global economy fell off a cliff. It is currently perched on a ledge partway down the precipice. Unfortunately, the ledge appears to be crumbling.
Tougher entry to universities opens ranking can of worms
Tougher entry to universities opens ranking can of worms
The application of free market principles to tertiary education in New Zealand has died with a whimper. Since the 1990s tertiary institutions have competed with each other for "customers...
Timely rental tax change may help not harm
Timely rental tax change may help not harm
Will rents go up if the Government moves against property investors? Unlikely, suggests Peter Lyons, who nonetheless counsels against sudden or radical change.
Politics, smacking, alcopops and mince pies
Politics, smacking, alcopops and mince pies
Despite having to dodge the occasional homicidal pupil and bits of falling masonry, not all is doom and gloom on the school front.