UPDATE: NZ central bank cuts rates, signals more to come

Wed, 08 May 2019

(Adds detail throughout) By Rebecca Howard May 8 (BusinessDesk) - The Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 1.5 percent and signaled more cuts to come. The New Zealand dollar fell. "The Monetary Policy Committee decided a lower OCR is necessary to support the outlook for employment and inflation consistent with its policy remit," the newly minted committee - which includes three external members - said in the statement. Changes to the central bank’s forecasts in the latest monetary policy sta...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk: Wednesday, April 17

Test your smarts against our Quizmaster.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Economy

RBNZ opens consultation on central bank digital currency

Protecting monetary sovereignty is a key factor.

Rebecca Howard 6:00am

RBNZ opens consultation on central bank digital currency

Primary Sector

Warning to NZ primary sector: avoid 'commoditised B2B'

Speaking at an event about food and fibre, the former Unilever CEO did not mince words.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Warning to NZ primary sector: avoid 'commoditised B2B'

Sponsored

Auckland's new "Midtown" taking shape

5-star hybrid workspaces, combined with the City Rail Link, are creating a revitalised inner-city zone designed to motivate workers back to the office.

Alberts

Sponsored

Building confidence and capability is the key to boosting productivity

In the pack houses of Hawke’s Bay apple growers, smart cameras scan the apples looking for blemishes and grading the fruit to ensure only the best is selected for domestic and international markets.

ASB