Australia & New Zealand Weekly

The report highlights that Australian economic growth in Q1 was heavily driven by a structural investment wave in data centres. Meanwhile, New Zealand faces a slow growth environment characterized by household caution and margin pressure on businesses.

Key Takeaways

• 1.Australian Q1 GDP growth was 0.3%, primarily driven by a significant data centre construction boom.
• 2.New Zealand's economy is experiencing sluggish growth (1.5% expected for 2026), with households exercising caution due to rising living costs.
• 3.Rising oil prices and geopolitical conflict in the Middle East are pressuring business margins and dampening consumer sentiment globally.

Table of Contents

• Economic Insight: Lumps, bumps and technology waves
• The Week That Was: Downside risks to persist
• Focus on New Zealand: New Zealand's economy is slouching, not stalling
• For the week ahead
• Looking further ahead: Economic & financial forecasts