Another Negative Poll, Another Typical Day

The media heading "New Zealand Workers Lose confidence in the Job Market" is typically sensational. Let us look as the facts.  My emphases are in bold.

The September quarter Westpac McDermott Miller Employee Confidence Index fell 2.9 points but remained in positive territory at 114.5. points, and fewer workers in paid work expected a pay rise any time soon (but still 27.5%), compared with 32.9%, the lowest level in three years. Wage growth has been relatively static in recent years despite growth in the economy. This suggests that some employers are not passing on the improvement to their workers.

Business Confidence and the 'Real' Economy: an Analysis of ANZ surveys and the views of Treasury

The ANZ Business Confidence survey -- more properly called the ANZ Business Outlook survey --   has become something of a regular political football since  Labour-Coalition formed the Government in September last year. But few using its results, generally to support their political position, ask about

the methodology used and whether the information can be considered useful and reliable.**