Photo: RNZ
Amendment: This story has been updated to better reflect the signatories' backgrounds.
The government's focus on slashing the budget deficit and reducing public debt is worsening the impact of recession on households and businesses, according to a group of economists.
The group of 15 independent, union, and university economists has sent a letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, saying their approach to managing public finances is short-term and short-sighted.
It said the policy rationale was unclear given that the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) has already got inflation under control, and that the policy ignored the private and external debt levels, which were much higher and more worrying than government debt.
"Your government's cancellation of key infrastructure projects and sinking-lid cuts to the public service are powerful contributors to the current severe and prolonged recession," the open letter said.
It said government spending, as a proportion of the economy, was already low, and government debt was low by international standards and of no real concern to ratings agencies.
The group said an infrastructure deficit put at $104 billion was the result of successive governments' underspending, leaving the country ill-prepared for the future.
"If nothing is changed now, this under-funding simply passes the burden of adjustments, and investment spending, to future generations.
"Failure to correct this course will lead to higher economic scarring, with the costs borne by those with the least ability to pay."
Private debt the issue
The group said foreign borrowing was needed by the private sector and households to cover their spending, and government policy was making it worse.
"Private sector debt is being driven upwards by your government's fiscal policy in pursuit of surpluses for itself and its aim of rapidly reducing public debt.
"Fiscal policy is adding to the vulnerability of economic activity and exposing New Zealand to inevitable global shocks," the paper said.
The group said investment in an inflated housing market was factor in driving the high current account deficit, which needed to be covered by foreign borrowing.
It said the current policy approach would increasingly hit the poorest the most, further drive skilled people to leave the country, deter business investment, and hollow out businesses.
Not partisan
Ganesh Nana Photo: Supplied
The group includes former productivity commissioner Ganesh Nana, whose department was one of the early casualties of the coalition government's public service crackdown.
Other members include former Whatu Ora head Rob Campbell, Professor Susan St John, Council of Trade Unions' economist Craig Renney, and economists from Auckland, Victoria and Massey universities.
Both Renney and another signatory, Toby Moore, currently sit on the Labour Party's policy council. They previously worked as advisors under former Finance Minister Grant Roberston, as did another signatory, Andrea Black.
Group spokesperson Nana said it rejected any accusation that it was partisan and out of touch with mainstream economists' views.
"Many in our group have individually and in other groups pointed to the need to look at our external debt, rather than our government debt, and have been vocal about the infrastructure deficit ... and we are aware of the need to build the capacity of the private sector.
"To call us partisan is a side issue."
Nana said the group would like a meeting with Luxon or Willis to discuss the issues face to face.
'Careful with taxpayers' dollars'
A spokesperson for Finance Minister Nicola Willis's office said the letter was consistent with the long-held views of the individuals concerned, some of whom had a close association with the previous government.
"This government fully appreciates the need for increasing investment in frontline government services and growth-enhancing infrastructure. We will continue to deliver Budgets consistent with those objectives," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The government would also continue its approach of being careful with taxpayers' dollars. "The wasteful spending approach of the last government contributed to a rapid rise in debt, high inflation and rapidly rising interest rates. We won't be repeating those mistakes," the spokesperson said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
