This week we have been assailed in the media by John Key and other economic commentators by the news that the economic recovery is supposedly near at hand.

Wellington, April 14 NZPA - New Zealanders are seen to be "collectively enjoying a cheap night at home", based on new retail sales figures.

National and Labour fought their way through pitfalls and panics in 2008 with the prize of election victory never out of their sights. NZPA Political Editor PETER WILSON reports on the year that changed the face of Parliament.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - The outlook for employment was better than expected, with most businesses in a recent survey saying they were doing alright overall, an employers' group said.

New Zealand will strongly argue that its agricultural economy will have to be taken into account as countries thrash out a new agreement on climate change.

By Grant Fleming of NZPA Wellington, Nov 24 NZPA - A firm commitment from Pacific-rim leaders to fast-track global free-trade talks is a welcome boost for the faltering world economy, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, Nov 24 NZPA - The global financial crisis can be overcome within 18 months by acting "quickly and decisively", Pacific Rim leaders including Prime Minister John Key say.

National and Labour today welcomed the Reserve Bank decision to slash the official interest rates an unprecedented 1 percentage point to 6.5 percent.

The economy, inflation and the Reserve Bank's interest rate announcement on Thursday featured on the campaign trail today.

Wellington, Oct 7 NZPA - Markets may have just had the worst month or so in memory, but the one certainty for investors is that the current credit crisis will resolve itself eventually, fund manager AMP Capital said today.