The Kākā is an independent newsletter and podcast by Bernard Hickey — one of New Zealand's most prominent economic commentators. Covering housing, monetary policy, climate, and intergenerational equity, it has become the go-to source for New Zealanders who want economic analysis that doesn't pull punches.

Hickey launched The Kākā after decades in mainstream financial journalism, choosing reader-funded independence over institutional backing. The publication operates on a paid Substack model with a free tier.

Why Noteworthy

The Kākā represents the creator-journalist model at its most consequential — one person with deep expertise building a direct audience that rivals institutional newsrooms. Hickey's influence on New Zealand's economic conversation is outsized for a one-person operation.