Economics
What is economics?
"Economics is the study of people in the ordinary business of life"
(Alfred Marshall, Principles of economics: An introductory volume, 1890)
Economics is not only about money. In fact, it's firstly about people and how they respond to incentives. Almost every issue in society can be viewed from an economic perspective and economics is behind much of what happens in current affairs - from tax cuts to car prices, hospital waiting lists to airfares to international diplomacy. Far from graphs and theories, economics is about the real world.
What do economists do?
Economists are key players in decision-making. Their analytical skills help people, businesses and governments make the best choices with their scarce resources.
Read about an economist and her job at BERL in this New Zealand Herald article.
Why should you study economics?
There are lots of jobs available for economics graduates, usually as policy analysts, market analysts, business analysts, and so on. Employers also value economics skills from those who do not have an economics major.
Furthermore, since economics touches almost every aspect of daily life, if you understand economics you'll be able to look at the world in a different light and make better business and other decisions.
But don't just take our word for it. Our first-year students have made videos telling you why you should study economics.
Events
Seminar Series:
Valente Matlaba
Doctoral candidate, University of Waikato
"A Natural Experiment in Brazil: Economic Impacts of the Creation of Brasilia City"
Friday 24 February, 11am-12pm, MSB.4.02
For abstract and other details for upcoming seminars, see our Seminar Series page.