The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Liam Dann
Business Editor at Large

Liam Dann, Business Editor at Large for New Zealand’s Herald, works as a writer, columnist, radio commentator and as a presenter and producer of videos and podcasts.

I'm Liam Dann, Business Editor at Large for New Zealand’s Herald. I've been a journalist since the mid-1990’s and for more than twenty years I've been a financial journalist. Business is something I fell into after returning from my OE, having spent some time working in the financial sector in London. I loved the freedom financial journalists have to go deep into the complexity of the forces that influence our lives. Over those years I've covered, agriculture, aviation, technology, stock markets and economics. I led the Business Herald through the global financial crisis as its editor from 2007 to 2015. In that role I was privileged to travel to China, Europe, the UK and US and other far-flung spots on economic and business research and study trips. Since shifting to my 'at-large' role in 2015, I have been freed up to work as a writer, columnist, radio commentator and, more recently, as presenter and producer of videos and podcasts. The media has changed radically, but one thing that hasn't is my focus on telling New Zealand's economic story. With the help of some very smart contacts in the world of finance and economics, my aim is always to tell that story in a way that brings it to life and makes it relevant to a wide and diverse audience.

Check out Liam’s latest content
Meat and dairy continue to drive food price inflation, Stats NZ data shows
The Country

Meat and dairy continue to drive food price inflation, Stats NZ data shows

16 Jun 11:28 PM
Premium
Liam Dann: Town v Country – Big cities left behind in economic recovery
Opinion

Liam Dann: Town v Country – Big cities left behind in economic recovery

31 May 05:00 PM

OPINION: A two-speed economy is developing which could cause headaches for the RBNZ.

Premium
Liam Dann: ‘Perfect storm’ for flat whites - what surging food prices mean for the economy
Opinion

Liam Dann: ‘Perfect storm’ for flat whites - what surging food prices mean for the economy

18 May 10:28 PM

Butter, cheese, coffee...do rising food prices signal the return of high inflation?

Butter prices soar 65%, driving food cost higher, new data shows
The Country

Butter prices soar 65%, driving food cost higher, new data shows

14 May 11:23 PM

Stats NZ's selected prices index includes power, rent, food and travel.

Premium
Inside Economics: What tariff truce means for NZ and why steak prices are rising
The Country

Inside Economics: What tariff truce means for NZ and why steak prices are rising

13 May 11:35 PM

Liam Dann takes a deeper dive into the week's economic news.

Premium
Liam Dann: In a world of grim news, here are five economic bright spots
Opinion

Liam Dann: In a world of grim news, here are five economic bright spots

10 May 05:00 PM

OPINION: There is no shortage of bad news to worry about, but let's not despair.

Premium
What Trump’s tariff turmoil means for NZ’s economic recovery
Opinion

What Trump’s tariff turmoil means for NZ’s economic recovery

29 Mar 04:00 PM

OPINION: Good, bad or ugly, here's hoping US tariff announcement brings some certainty.

Premium
Is the economy’s ‘surprise’ bounce the start of a real recovery?
The Country

Is the economy’s ‘surprise’ bounce the start of a real recovery?

20 Mar 02:57 AM

Stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter GDP growth is good news, but can it last?

Premium
Inside Economics: Why US dollars still rule the world...and what’s up with the price of cheese
The Country

Inside Economics: Why US dollars still rule the world...and what’s up with the price of cheese

25 Feb 10:30 PM

Liam Dann takes a deeper dive into the latest economic news.

Premium
Liam Dann: You’ll soon pay more for a block of cheese - and it’s good news
Opinion

Liam Dann: You’ll soon pay more for a block of cheese - and it’s good news

16 Nov 04:00 PM

OPINION: Dairy prices and growing conditions are lining up to give the economy a boost.

Food prices fall in October but milk and butter on the rise
The Country

Food prices fall in October but milk and butter on the rise

13 Nov 10:33 PM

Fruit prices go bananas but vegetable costs plummet.

Premium
Liam Dann: Classic Kiwi recovery is on its way ... and it’s not good enough
Opinion

Liam Dann: Classic Kiwi recovery is on its way ... and it’s not good enough

26 Oct 04:00 PM

A new report by Westpac outlines the kind of economic recovery we can expect.

Food price data: Cost of eating out spikes but fruit, vegetables and meat still falling
The Country

Food price data: Cost of eating out spikes but fruit, vegetables and meat still falling

15 Aug 12:42 AM

New Selected Price Index offers insight into how inflation is tracking.

Annual food prices drop for first time in six years - fruit and veges lead the way
The Country

Annual food prices drop for first time in six years - fruit and veges lead the way

10 Jul 11:06 PM

Good news for the inflation fight as food prices continue to ease, Stats NZ figures show.

Premium
Inside Economics: Could synthetic milk sink the dairy industry?
Opinion

Inside Economics: Could synthetic milk sink the dairy industry?

03 Jul 01:00 AM

Could fake milk ruin our economy, and what should we make of the latest tech 'hype cycle'?

From the milking shed to global skincare brand: 'I was a bit of a tomboy'
The Country

From the milking shed to global skincare brand: 'I was a bit of a tomboy'

07 Jun 05:00 PM

In just a few years, Emma Lewisham has created an in-demand beauty brand.

Surprise price rise: Cost of food goes up for first time in 3 months
The Country

Surprise price rise: Cost of food goes up for first time in 3 months

12 May 11:08 PM

New data from Stats NZ shows international airfares also spiked in April.

Premium
‘Darkest before the dawn’: Spots of light show through recession gloom - ASB economist
The Country

‘Darkest before the dawn’: Spots of light show through recession gloom - ASB economist

31 Mar 04:00 PM

The next few months will be tough, but there some positive signs emerging.

Fruit and vege prices plummet 9 per cent in past year ... but price of eating out soars
The Country

Fruit and vege prices plummet 9 per cent in past year ... but price of eating out soars

12 Mar 10:20 PM

New inflation data shows price rises are easing.

Premium
NZ must brace for more big supply shocks - Productivity Commission
The Country

NZ must brace for more big supply shocks - Productivity Commission

20 Feb 02:43 AM

The commission's last report warns of the need to prepare for economic disruption.

Food prices on the rise again - milk, eggs and chocolate lead the way
The Country

Food prices on the rise again - milk, eggs and chocolate lead the way

13 Feb 10:29 PM

Despite a monthly rise, annual price increases were the lowest since November 2021.

Premium
Liam Dann: Say cheese... how we’re winning the war on inflation
Opinion

Liam Dann: Say cheese... how we’re winning the war on inflation

19 Nov 11:24 PM

OPINION: All the news about inflation was good last week - but one product stands out.

Finally, cheaper cheese - food prices fall in October
The Country

Finally, cheaper cheese - food prices fall in October

13 Nov 10:17 PM

New Stats NZ data shows food prices fell in October compared to September.

Premium
Export numbers confirm slump in Chinese demand for dairy
The Country

Export numbers confirm slump in Chinese demand for dairy

20 Oct 04:00 AM

New data confirms headwinds for Kiwi exports.

NZ no longer in recession, GDP result exceeds expectations
The Country

NZ no longer in recession, GDP result exceeds expectations

21 Sep 12:30 AM

Strong exports, IT services, manufacturing helped drive growth in second quarter.

Premium
Slow growth: Consensus of economists sees tough years ahead
The Country

Slow growth: Consensus of economists sees tough years ahead

19 Sep 03:57 AM

NZIER's survey of economists paints a grim picture of the path ahead.

Food prices jump 8.9 per cent: Eggs, chips, yoghurt drive spike
The Country

Food prices jump 8.9 per cent: Eggs, chips, yoghurt drive spike

12 Sep 10:51 PM

Grocery food prices increased 10.6 per cent.

Premium
Liam Dann: The big issue for the next government will be jobs not grocery prices
Opinion

Liam Dann: The big issue for the next government will be jobs not grocery prices

26 Aug 05:00 PM

OPINION: The cost of living might soon be the least of our worries.

Premium
Export earnings fall sharply as China slows and dairy slumps
The Country

Export earnings fall sharply as China slows and dairy slumps

20 Aug 11:42 PM

Both exports and imports were down in July compared with a year earlier.

Premium
Liam Dann: Worst of both worlds - dairy and oil prices threaten chances of soft landing
Opinion

Liam Dann: Worst of both worlds - dairy and oil prices threaten chances of soft landing

12 Aug 05:00 PM

OPINION: China's economic woes come at a bad time for New Zealand.

Premium
China’s economy is slowing but no need for Kiwi exporters to panic
The Country

China’s economy is slowing but no need for Kiwi exporters to panic

17 Jul 05:25 AM

Even as China's GDP growth falls the economy still grows by more US$1 trillion a year.

Premium
NZ economy faces hit as export prices slump
The Country

NZ economy faces hit as export prices slump

05 Jul 05:25 AM

Meat and log prices falling on slow Chinese demand.

Premium
Commodity export prices steady despite slowing China demand
The Country

Commodity export prices steady despite slowing China demand

06 Jun 03:09 AM

Shipping costs continue to fall sharply as volumes ease.

Food prices rise most since 1989 - up 12 per cent for the year
The Country

Food prices rise most since 1989 - up 12 per cent for the year

12 Mar 10:07 PM

Flood impacts added to inflation woes to push fruit and vegetable prices higher.

Premium
The great reopening: Will China’s rebound turbocharge NZ’s economy?
The Country

The great reopening: Will China’s rebound turbocharge NZ’s economy?

03 Mar 04:22 AM

China's economy is roaring back to life after Covid lockdown - it my be a mixed blessing

Cheese, chips and chooks: New data confirms soaring grocery bills
The Country

Cheese, chips and chooks: New data confirms soaring grocery bills

13 Feb 09:51 PM

Latest food price data shows ballooning bills could be hard for some to stomach.

Premium
EU trade deal on track for formal signing this year
The Country

EU trade deal on track for formal signing this year

13 Feb 04:20 AM

EU Ambassador to New Zealand Nina Obermaier says NZers should see Europe as an ally.

Premium
Auckland most gloomy as regional confidence dives on cost of living, interest rates
The Country

Auckland most gloomy as regional confidence dives on cost of living, interest rates

24 Jan 02:08 AM

The Westpac McDermott Miller survey shows Waikato posted the largest fall in confidence.

Govt gives green light for 3000 more migrant workers
The Country

Govt gives green light for 3000 more migrant workers

27 Sep 04:43 AM

Largest increase to the RSE Scheme in over a decade but better worker conditions required.

Premium
Global oil prices slumped overnight: Is our pain at the pump about to ease?
The Country

Global oil prices slumped overnight: Is our pain at the pump about to ease?

06 Jul 05:27 AM

Oil prices have finally been on the downward slide in recent weeks, but can it last?

Premium
Liam Dann: EU trade deal huge win, just don't expect short-term gain
Opinion

Liam Dann: EU trade deal huge win, just don't expect short-term gain

01 Jul 05:33 AM

The gains could be much greater for NZ than cheaper prices.

Premium
Lower kiwi dollar keeps export prices strong despite falls
The Country

Lower kiwi dollar keeps export prices strong despite falls

07 Jun 01:14 AM

The ANZ Commodity Index shows export prices rose in currency-adjusted terms.

Premium
Food prices soar again: 'Lock in elevated prices over 2022' - economist
The Country

Food prices soar again: 'Lock in elevated prices over 2022' - economist

13 Apr 05:37 AM

Food prices continued to rise in March, led by basic grocery items.

Food price inflation soars to 11-year high
The Country

Food price inflation soars to 11-year high

11 Mar 04:28 AM

Fresh fruit and vegetables have lead the biggest rise in prices since GST was last lifted.

Premium
Liam Dann: Where Kiwis will pay the price for Putin's war
Opinion

Liam Dann: Where Kiwis will pay the price for Putin's war

26 Feb 04:00 PM

We will feel the shock of war at the petrol pump, on our investments and interest rates.

Premium
Liam Dann: UK trade deal - big winners and other winners (there are no losers)
The Country

Liam Dann: UK trade deal - big winners and other winners (there are no losers)

21 Oct 04:30 AM

There are no obvious losers in this deal. It is that good.

Which regions made the biggest moves in ASB's economic scoreboard?
The Country

Which regions made the biggest moves in ASB's economic scoreboard?

27 Sep 04:30 AM

The latest ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard shows significant movement pre-lockdown.

GDP surges 2.8% - economy was booming before lockdown
The Country

GDP surges 2.8% - economy was booming before lockdown

15 Sep 10:45 PM

GDP data for the second quarter to June 30 points to an economy close to overheating.

Premium
Extend visas for trapped immigrant workers - NZIER Economist
The Country

Extend visas for trapped immigrant workers - NZIER Economist

05 Aug 05:25 AM

Peter Wilson says falls in unemployment reassure that immigrants contribute to economy.

Premium
Exporters call for Govt action on labour shortages
The Country

Exporters call for Govt action on labour shortages

22 Jun 05:45 AM

Perfect Storm: Exporters fear shipping disruption and labour shortages threaten growth.

Premium
'Devastating': Worker shortage causes crisis - employers plead for help
The Country

'Devastating': Worker shortage causes crisis - employers plead for help

17 Jun 05:00 PM

Kiwi business owners say New Zealand's labour shortage has reached crisis point.

Premium
ASB Regional scoreboard: How is your local economy coping?
The Country

ASB Regional scoreboard: How is your local economy coping?

29 Mar 04:43 AM

A table ranking regional economic performance reflects the two speeds of the recovery.

Premium
Liam Dann: Never mind the tomato wars, food prices are set to rise
Opinion

Liam Dann: Never mind the tomato wars, food prices are set to rise

13 Mar 04:00 PM

Food prices have been subdued of late but global commodity markets point to big rises.

Premium
Tomatoes cheapest in 12 years - food prices fall in February
The Country

Tomatoes cheapest in 12 years - food prices fall in February

11 Mar 04:24 AM

Tomatoes are just one of several foods that have seen prices fall during the pandemic.

Premium
Liam Dann: RMA rewrite looks like a special kind of hell
Opinion

Liam Dann: RMA rewrite looks like a special kind of hell

13 Feb 04:00 PM

Everyone cheered the RMA's demise but will new laws be at the mercy of political conflict?

Premium
Restrict migrant workers to boost productivity - study
The Country

Restrict migrant workers to boost productivity - study

29 Nov 04:00 PM

New study suggests migrant workers are hampering efforts to improve productivity.

Premium
Historic wave of returning Kiwis has just begun - here's where they're going
The Country

Historic wave of returning Kiwis has just begun - here's where they're going

08 Nov 04:00 PM

A survey of expats suggests Covid-19 may dramatically reshape the country's population.

Premium
How strong is the economic recovery? Reserve Bank to deliver its verdict
The Country

How strong is the economic recovery? Reserve Bank to deliver its verdict

10 Aug 05:27 AM

To print or not to print - the RBNZ's next big call is whether to expand the QE programme.

Premium
Liam Dann: How land-based industries are saving the economy
The Country

Liam Dann: How land-based industries are saving the economy

21 Jul 04:18 AM

Strong dairy, meat and fruit export returns have propped up the economy despite Covid-19

Premium
Liam Dann: Why oil crashed ... and why petrol prices haven't
The Country

Liam Dann: Why oil crashed ... and why petrol prices haven't

25 Apr 05:00 PM

Last week's oil crash was a history-making twist in a time of already epic events.

Premium
Special report: Supply crunch makes coronavirus slump unprecedented
The Country

Special report: Supply crunch makes coronavirus slump unprecedented

06 Mar 04:53 AM

Crunch time for many businesses may be only weeks away.

Premium
'Perfect storm': Coronavirus and drought to deliver 'short, sharp' shock to economy
The Country

'Perfect storm': Coronavirus and drought to deliver 'short, sharp' shock to economy

26 Feb 04:45 AM

New Zealand's economy faces a short sharp shock in first quarter, says economic institute.

Live: Govt's $12b spend-up today - motorists set to be big winners
The Country

Live: Govt's $12b spend-up today - motorists set to be big winners

28 Jan 08:30 PM

New roads likely to go ahead $12 billion announcement - but not holiday highway.

Premium
Liam Dann: Farmers riding to NZ's economic rescue ... again
Opinion

Liam Dann: Farmers riding to NZ's economic rescue ... again

26 Oct 04:00 PM

COMMENT: Commodity prices are likely to keep NZ ahead of the pack as global economy slows.

Exports to China still growing strong despite trade war
The Country

Exports to China still growing strong despite trade war

22 Oct 11:03 PM

The US/China trade war hasn't dampened global demand for New Zealand food exports.

Premium
Which regions are still beating Auckland?
The Country

Which regions are still beating Auckland?

08 Oct 05:00 AM

Regional economic growth continues to outpace Auckland, although everywhere is slowing.

Premium
How the trade war is hurting NZ - threat vs reality
The Country

How the trade war is hurting NZ - threat vs reality

30 Aug 10:55 PM

As the trade war heats up markets are rattled, but how hard is it really hitting NZ?

Premium
Liam Dann: Is this the stupidest thing Trump's ever said?
Opinion

Liam Dann: Is this the stupidest thing Trump's ever said?

25 Aug 04:31 AM

COMMENT: Never mind Greenland, it doesn't get dumber than Trump's 2018 take on trade wars.

Premium
Liam Dann: I hope Adrian Orr is better at poker than me
The Country

Liam Dann: I hope Adrian Orr is better at poker than me

08 Aug 06:03 AM

Does a double cut in the official cash rate leave enough in the tank for a real crisis?

Premium
Nation of Debt: Dairy danger as repayment risks rise
The Country

Nation of Debt: Dairy danger as repayment risks rise

21 Jul 05:00 AM

Dairy debt is troubling the Reserve Bank as risks around the industry grow

Premium
Liam Dann: Swine fever casts shadow on global economy
Opinion

Liam Dann: Swine fever casts shadow on global economy

15 Jun 10:56 PM

COMMENT: Epidemic has potential to change the economic equations for New Zealand.

NZ export earnings at all-time high as China trade booms
The Country

NZ export earnings at all-time high as China trade booms

26 Apr 02:20 AM

Record export earnings provide an economic bright spot against slowing domestic growth.

Liam Dann: Dairy to rescue as property boom economy falters
Opinion

Liam Dann: Dairy to rescue as property boom economy falters

16 Mar 04:00 PM

COMMENT: As risks around domestic economy grow, export prices once again come to rescue.

US/China trade war truce holds risks for NZ
The Country

US/China trade war truce holds risks for NZ

06 Mar 05:25 AM

While markets cheer a de-escalation of trade tension a deal may create new problems for NZ

Comment: The Government's Capital Gains Tax masterstroke
The Country

Comment: The Government's Capital Gains Tax masterstroke

21 Feb 06:05 AM

The Tax Working Group's hard nosed approach leaves the Govt scope to appear moderate.

The $9b iwi empire: Māori groups' assets grow
The Country

The $9b iwi empire: Māori groups' assets grow

07 Feb 04:00 PM

A new report into iwi financial assets shows most making strong gains in past six years.

China's slump - is the dragon running out of fire?
The Country

China's slump - is the dragon running out of fire?

22 Nov 04:00 PM

China's economic growth has slowed this year. Will the fallout hit New Zealand?

NZ's top business leaders crowned at Deloitte Top 200 awards
The Country

NZ's top business leaders crowned at Deloitte Top 200 awards

21 Nov 09:15 AM

Business excellence has been recognised at the Deloitte Top 200 Awards

At the crossroads: Why the economic outlook is so murky
Opinion

At the crossroads: Why the economic outlook is so murky

07 Nov 03:20 AM

COMMENT: Reserve Bank makes its forecasts tomorrow but even experts are hedging their bets

Kiwi TV star Mark Dye launches cannabis company
The Country

Kiwi TV star Mark Dye launches cannabis company

29 Oct 05:00 PM

TV and radio personality Mark Dye has launched a medicinal cannabis company

New data shows economy holding up despite business gloom
The Country

New data shows economy holding up despite business gloom

11 Sep 06:00 AM

Two sets of data indicate the economy is still ticking away.

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP