RBNZ August rate cut is on the table, but not guaranteed

RBNZ August rate cut is on the table, but not guaranteed
RBNZ Governor Christian Hawkesby – hawk or dove? (Image: NZME)
Rebecca Howard
The central bank temporarily hit the pause button, but an August rate cut depends on how the data pans out. The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) opted to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) on hold at 3.25% but “subject to medium-term inflation pressures continuing to ease in line with the committee’s central projections, the committee expects to lower the Official Cash Rate further, broadly consistent with the projection outlined in May”, it said.Plenty more to come“We continue to expect that the RBNZ will cut the OCR by 25bps at...

More Economy

Energy shortage reduces and increases regional emissions
Economy

Energy shortage reduces and increases regional emissions

Lack of gas reduces industrial production in Taranaki, but Waikato coal increases.

Weak economy prompts dovish RBNZ pivot
Economy

Weak economy prompts dovish RBNZ pivot

The Reserve Bank forecasts point to two more rate cuts this year. 

Updated: RBNZ turns more dovish
Economy

Updated: RBNZ turns more dovish

The latest forecast imply two more rate cuts to come. 

Rebecca Howard 20 Aug 2025