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Westpac expects government policy to "cool" housing market and GDP

Monday 19th of March 2018

Westpac expects the government’s housing policy to cause a further slowdown in New Zealand's GDP growth, after data revealed the economy grew by only 2.9% in 2017.

Westpac’s team of economists have predicted the government’s plans, including curbs on foreign investment, will “cool” the housing market, leading to lower household spending and decreased confidence among employers and investors.

It comes after data released last week showed the economy running at softer-than-expected 2.9% growth, significantly lower than 3.9% in 2016. 

In their weekly update to the market, Westpac economists said they expected the more “subdued backdrop” to persist in 2018, “as the new government’s policies weigh on growth”.

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