RBNZ’s Hawkesby: Decision to hold vote on rates was healthy sign, not unusual at turning points
Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) acting Governor Christian Hawkesby explains the decision to lower the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points (bps) to 3.25% at a press conference following the May monetary policy meeting on Wednesday.
Orr responds to media questions after delivering the prepared remarks.
Key quotes
Inflation is in the target range.
Decision to hold vote on rates was healthy sign, not unusual at turning points.
Did form a consensus projection for the cash rate, but high degree of uncertainty.
Central projections are wide enough for us to not have a bias either way in terms of what the next step is at the next meeting.
Have lowered rates a considerable way, still working way through.
Rates are in the neutral zone.
Being close to neutral, more about feeling your way on policy now.
Key message is that we have come a long way, not pre-programmed on moves now.
Committee members were comfortable with projection on rates, a difference on timing.
Market reaction to RBNZ Hawkesby’s presser
NZD/USD regains traction on Hawkesby’s comments, trading 0.30% higher on the day near 0.5970 as of writing.
RBNZ FAQs
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is the country’s central bank. Its economic objectives are achieving and maintaining price stability – achieved when inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), falls within the band of between 1% and 3% – and supporting maximum sustainable employment.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides the appropriate level of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) according to its objectives. When inflation is above target, the bank will attempt to tame it by raising its key OCR, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money and thus cooling the economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD.
Employment is important for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) because a tight labor market can fuel inflation. The RBNZ’s goal of “maximum sustainable employment” is defined as the highest use of labor resources that can be sustained over time without creating an acceleration in inflation. “When employment is at its maximum sustainable level, there will be low and stable inflation. However, if employment is above the maximum sustainable level for too long, it will eventually cause prices to rise more and more quickly, requiring the MPC to raise interest rates to keep inflation under control,” the bank says.
In extreme situations, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) can enact a monetary policy tool called Quantitative Easing. QE is the process by which the RBNZ prints local currency and uses it to buy assets – usually government or corporate bonds – from banks and other financial institutions with the aim to increase the domestic money supply and spur economic activity. QE usually results in a weaker New Zealand Dollar (NZD). QE is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the objectives of the central bank. The RBNZ used it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Author
Dhwani Mehta
FXStreet
Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.
