The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decided to raise its official cash rate (OCR) by 75bps to 4.25% at its final meeting of the year. Today’s hike follows five consecutive 50bps rate hikes and is the largest since the New Zealand central bank introduced the OCR in 1999 and takes the benchmark to its highest level since 2008.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Karen Silk, Assistant Governor, expressed her view on the economic, inflation and monetary policy outlook in her speech on Monday.
Reuters reported that New Zealand's central bank governor said on Thursday that the central bank cash rate was officially contractionary as it tries to bring down inflation.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has forecasted a higher peak cash rate and has hiked rates by 75 basis points as expected. The knee-jerk was volatile in forex seeing the Kiwi rally, drop and then rally again as the statements were digested.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has hiked 50 bps as expected and the market is now digesting the statement, and the committee considered whether to increase by 50 or 75bps at this meeting, concluding that it is appropriate to continue hiking at the current pace.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is New Zealand's central bank. Like most central banks, the Reserve Bank is primarily a policy organisation, and exists to do three main things: formulate and implement monetary policy to maintain price stability, promote the maintenance of a sound and efficient financial system and meet the currency needs of the public.
The official website, on Twitter and YouTube
Adrian Orr is the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He was appointed in March 2018. He is New Zealand born and bred, and primarily of Cook Island and Irish descent. Adrian graduated from the University of Waikato in 1983 with a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Economics and Geography. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Development Economics (Distinction) from the University of Leicester, England, graduating in 1985. Adrian has also served as Chair of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Chair of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute.
Adrian official RBNZ profile
The World Interest Rates Table reflects the current interest rates of the main countries around the world, set by their respective Central Banks. Rates typically reflect the health of individual economies, as in a perfect scenario, Central Banks tend to rise rates when the economy is growing and therefore instigate inflation.