This study uses the Journal of Economic Literature database to rank seven New Zealand economics departments in terms of research productivity for 1988–1995. It also compares their performances with the 23 Australian departments examined by Towe and Wright (1995). The results obtained suggest that present staff at Otago and Victoria were more successful in publishing in the journals considered than staff members at other departments. Furthermore, in 1988–1993 comparisons with Australian departments, Otago and Victoria were highly placed in all journal categories.