Gareth Kiernan
Gareth Kiernan is the chief forecaster at Infometrics, a New Zealand economic consultancy, known for his insights into market trends and economic forecasts. He was recently quoted in the news regarding the sustainability of Westpac's sub-5% fixed home loan rates, suggesting that while other banks may follow suit with rate cuts, they are unlikely to match Westpac's low offerings.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan suggested that taking a one-year fix now would provide a better average rate in the future.
Should you fix your mortgage now as rates fall below 5%?
New Zealand· 2025-11-02
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said farmers were notoriously conservative about spending.
Fonterra sale: Economists see payout boosting provincial spendingNew Zealand· 2025-10-29
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said the 50-point cut was consistent with the softer economic data following August’s review.
Big OCR cut boosts hopes for economic recovery: ‘Past the worst’New Zealand· 2025-10-08
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan noted that Auckland’s stock of unsold homes on the market has been rising again.
This isn’t a housing market meltdown, it’s a full-blown crash – Liam DannNew Zealand· 2025-08-17
Gareth Kiernan explained the rise in international butter prices and its impact on retail prices in New Zealand.
Explainer: Why have New Zealand butter prices gone up – and when will that change?New Zealand· 2025-07-23
Gareth Kiernan explains the implications of butter prices and alternatives like subsidies or regulation.
Dairy exports vital for NZ economy despite butter price concerns: Dr Jacqueline RowarthNew Zealand· 2025-06-26
Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, said last week that his forecasts were for house price inflation to average 3.1% a year over the five years to June 2030.
There’s an upside to this painfully slow economic recovery - Liam DannNew Zealand· 2025-06-21
Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, noted the increase in butter prices and its correlation with GDT price movements.
Butter prices soar to $8.50 amid global dairy surgeNew Zealand· 2025-05-09
Gareth Kiernan is the chief forecaster at Infometrics.
Reserve Bank needs to cut interest rates further and faster to save this economic recovery: Liam DannNew Zealand· 2025-04-19
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan also said that, while the result was welcome news, economic activity was 'patchy'.
After our economy bounced along the bottom, now we have a reason for hope - EditorialNew Zealand· 2025-03-21
Gareth Kiernan is the chief forecaster at Infometrics.
GDP: Is the economy’s ‘surprise’ bounce the start of a real recovery? – Liam DannNew Zealand· 2025-03-20
Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, said there would be no single right answer.
To buy or rent? Navigating homeownership in today’s marketNew Zealand· 2025-03-02
Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, described the challenge of understanding bank margins.
Reserve Bank urges banks to cut margins, lower interest ratesNew Zealand· 2025-02-24
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan told RNZ it was not a sustainable rate and seemed designed to get a bit of market share for a term that banks did not generally compete on much or had a lot of business in.
Mortgage wars: ANZ goes sub 5% for two years fixed, Westpac scraps its sub-5% rateNew Zealand· 2025-02-19