Timing of RBNZ remit change raises questions

Timing of RBNZ remit change raises questions
Rebecca Howard
Today Finance Minister Grant Robertson told the central bank it is now required to take house prices into account when setting monetary policy. The timing was odd.Why didn’t he say this yesterday, before the monetary policy statement and press conference or even before the finance and expenditure select committee this morning? Housing was front of mind in both those spaces, yet this didn't come up. RBNZ governor Adrian Orr was in fact asked at today's select committee meeting whether he had spoken to the finance minister abou...

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Food prices rise 4.6% in the year to June
Economy

Food prices rise 4.6% in the year to June

New stats show food prices rose 4.6% in the year to June – the largest rate of increase since late 2023.That was up from a 4.4% increase in the year to May, Stats New Zealand’s latest selected price indexes show.Rising prices for fruit and vegetables in June have contributed to a...

Staff reporters 17 Jul 2025
New gig for former RBNZ governor Adrian Orr
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New gig for former RBNZ governor Adrian Orr

Orr abruptly quit the RBNZ last March. 

Rebecca Howard 15 Jul 2025
Services sector stuck in reverse
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Services sector stuck in reverse

The combined PSI and PMI is supportive of further RBNZ rate cuts.

Rebecca Howard 14 Jul 2025
August RBNZ rate cut beckons but not a done deal
Economy

August RBNZ rate cut beckons but not a done deal

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Rebecca Howard 10 Jul 2025