October 14, 2025

Inside Economics: Why big events like Taylor Swift concerts don’t really boost the economy

New Zealand Blog News Service Oct 14, 2025

ANALYSIS: Liam Dann answers reader questions and looks into the week’s economic news.http://dlvr.it/TNgg0m

Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet September 20, 2024
Tory Whanau has revealed that she’s struggling so much financially that she may have to part with her beloved mayoralty, that of New Zealand’s capital city, if she’s to fund her ever-diminishing lifestyle. Whanau was elected to lead Wellington in 2022, winning an overwhelming victory against the incumbent mayor: the evil version of Jason Gunn. […]
Ben Uffindell
Ukrainian militia receives defective shipment of pagers that just send and receive messages September 18, 2024
There’s been a major setback for one Ukrainian-backed militia on the Russian border, after the group ordered a large shipment of pagers to use as improvised explosive devices. The plan was to litter the pagers throughout abandoned homes and buildings in hopes of wounding Russian soldiers. But upon arrival of the shipment, routed through the […]
Ben Uffindell
Government directs Te Puni Kōkiri to conduct Māori Language Week in English September 17, 2024
The coalition government has issued a directive to Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, instructing them that – in the interests of clear communication – they are to conduct this year’s Māori Language Week primarily or exclusively in English. The directive is in line with the Government’s policy – signaled when they came […]
Ben Uffindell
Government celebrates fact that New Zealand’s healthcare is so good people are queuing up for it at 5am September 17, 2024
At yesterday’s post-cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, flanked by his Health Minister Shane Reti and someone we can’t independently verify was a real sign language interpreter, announced that he had some positive news for the country. “Alright team, I’m just going to hand over to uh, Dr. Shane, because I think he’s got […]
Ben Uffindell
Heartwarming: Thoughtful driver uses indicator to tell you what they’ve just done September 17, 2024
It’s 4:10pm in the morning, and you’re in the middle lane heading north on the great southern motorway of our nation’s capital, Auckland. There are no cars directly in front of you, but quite a few in the lane to your left. Suddenly, without warning, a black ute enters your lane, cutting in front of […]
Ben Uffindell
NPC teams will now be allowed to actually use the Ranfurly Shield in play September 17, 2024
Following decades of controversy, the governing body of New Zealand rugby, New Zealand Rugby, has ruled that the team currently holding the Ranfurly Shield may once again use it in play during the National Provincial Championship (NPC). The ruling restores the utility of a prize that for many years was rendered merely symbolic, after the […]
Ben Uffindell
Police say they won’t respond to bomb threats anymore as ‘it’s never anything’ September 16, 2024
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says that New Zealand’s police force will no longer respond to bomb threats, in an attempt to cut costs and redirect police resources to less boring activities. Coster said that threat response and bomb disposal was a “fairly obvious” area for downsizing, as bomb threats are “never anything”, a “huge waste […]
Ben Uffindell
Air New Zealand flight attendant named CEO after one year on job November 30, 2021
New Zealand’s national carrier, Air New Zealand, has expressed great enthusiasm in announcing its new CEO today: 51-year-old Nathan Guy, a flight attendant who has spent about 1200 hours on the job. Guy joined the company as a fresh-faced, wide-eyed flight attendant serving now-reduced domestic routes in November of 2020, and has since spent a […]
Ben Uffindell
National Party board denies it unanimously agreed to Collins’ Faustian bargain with Satan November 26, 2021
National Party president Peter Goodfellow is today issuing a strong denial on behalf of the party’s board, saying they did not, at any point, agree to the Faustian bargain that National leader Judith Collins struck with the Evil One, Son of Perdition, the Devil Satan himself. When Collins became the leader of the National Party […]
Ben Uffindell
Super Saturday recap: Patrick Gower doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do October 16, 2021
It was Aotearoa’s first national day of action in over ten years, the first since 2010, when Prime Minister John Key tried to inspire us to clean up our nation’s berms. It didn’t work. Today, New Zealand’s berms are worse than ever. But history is not destiny, and other cliches. Today, we tried again, this […]
Ben Uffindell

Strong showing to finish eighth January 15, 2026
Celebrating a strong result at the national event in Christchurch last week are the South Canterbury under-19 boys softball team of (back row, from left) manager Treen Whiu, coach Adrian Whiu, Connor Stewart, Lachie Cater, Owen Young, Leo White, Charlie Quested, Cooper White, Ben Hunter-Brady, Anthony Baker, asst coach Jacob White, asst coach Vaughan Wilson […]
ODT quiz: January 15 January 14, 2026
Test your local and general knowledge by taking the Otago Daily Times quiz for Thursday, January 15.
Spider, shrimp vie for bug of year vote January 14, 2026
The black tunnelweb spider (Porrhothele antipodiana) was an inspiration for the depiction of Shelob, the large spider featured in Peter Jackson’s film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Photo: Steve Kerr The Entomological Society of New Zealand is buzzing as it recently announced this year’s candidates for New Zealand Bug of […]
Sam Henderson
Hands-On experience lets students explore January 14, 2026
University of Otago PhD candidate Kate Hodgson releases green dye to track currents in the Water of Leith during the Whai Wheako i Ōtākou, Hands-On at Otago. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Students have been cooking up a taste of university life in Dunedin this week.
Sam Henderson
A year in stories, told through photographs January 14, 2026
Kieran Ford and Siobhan Dillon celebrate all the energy and excitement of the Dunedin Swing Festival. Photo: Sam Henderson The Star reporters Sam Henderson and Brenda Harwood share the stories behind their favourite photos of 2025.
‘The more the merrier’ at lily show January 14, 2026
Otago Lily Society Show manager Karen Judge admires a lovely bloom of longiflorim-asiatic hybrid lily Royal Sunset ahead of the show this Saturday at St Kilda Bowling Club. Photos: supplied Taking on the busy role of Otago Lily Society Show manager is a labour of love for Dunedin woman Karen Judge.
Youth to get taste of choral singing January 14, 2026
Dunedin Children’s Choir conductor Natasha Manowitz leads the choir during an energetic performance at Tūhura Otago Museum. PHOTO: ANDREW MACKAY Youngsters who love to sing will have the chance to come together for some fun, singing and expert tuition with Dunedin Children’s Choir next week.
Princess Sadie one to beat from handicaps January 14, 2026
Matthew Williamson. Photo: ODT files The group 3 Pryde’s Easifeed Southern Lights Trot is coming along at the perfect time for Princess Sadie.
Jonny Turner
Podcasting is for everyone January 14, 2026
Holly Fletcher (left) in training for her podcast Books Uncovered with OAR FM’s Arina Aizal. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Dunedin’s OAR FM is a leader among the 12 stations in the Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) when it comes to online listenership.
Detours around Octagon January 14, 2026
Upper Stuart St will experience closures from next week as lines company Aurora Energy conducts electricity upgrades in the Octagon area of Dunedin’s central business district.

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October 14, 2025

Inside Economics: Why big events like Taylor Swift concerts don’t really boost the economy

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