David Downs

1 month ago | businessdesk.co.nz | Peter Griffin |Cameron Bagrie |David Chaplin |David Downs

Last week, the media redundancy wave broke over BusinessDesk publisher NZME as we gathered at Auckland’s Empire Tavern to farewell a host of senior journalists departing the company.The mood was surprisingly upbeat. As one New Zealand Herald journo wryly put it, the gathering felt more like a wake for those remaining rather than the seasoned journalists now looking for work in a grim labour market. That’s because great uncertainty also hangs over those remaining.

1 month ago | businessdesk.co.nz | Cameron Bagrie |Peter Griffin |David Chaplin |David Downs

Last year, I noted the risk of a sovereign credit rating downgrade. It would not be the end of the world, representing a margin of excellence tweak, but a dent in the Government's fiscal and economic credibility.Those drums for a downgrade are now starting to beat louder, with S&P Global Ratings recently downgrading the institutional framework assessment for local authorities.

1 month ago | businessdesk.co.nz | David Chaplin |David Downs |Maria Slade |Simon Robertson

For those planning on being born today and living to 125, the obvious conclusion after reading the UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025 would be to go long equities, preferably the US.The 26th edition of the highly regarded annual compendium of historical performance of multiple asset classes across 35 countries declares the long-term winner, as per the previous 25 reports.Produced by UK academics – Elroy Dimson, Paul Marsh, Mike Staunton, or DMS for short – the yearbook executive...

1 month ago | businessdesk.co.nz | David Downs |Maria Slade |Simon Robertson |Cameron Bagrie

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character Cassio laments: “Reputation, reputation, reputation – O! I have lost my reputation!”. I remembered this quote from my 5th form English class recently as I was on holiday in Europe, where the play is set. As with Cassio, reputation is one of New Zealand’s main assets, and I was often reminded of this on my travels. Whenever I explained to locals that I was not from England, Canada, or California but instead from NZ, their demeanour changed.

1 month ago | leafly.com | David Downs

The fog of the inauguration has cleared, and prospects for weed law reform look dim in Washington D.C. under the second Trump Administration. But don't get bummed-experts say voters have the power to dictate their fate at the level where it most impacts them: their city and state. According to veterans of the country's weed wars for decades, no executive order, DEA ruling, or Congressional bill is on tap to deliver the legalization that 70% of US voters want.