Results: New Zealand Economy
What's the outlook for interest rates over the course of 2026?
Our first OCR announcement of the year is coming up on 18th February—and while the expectation is for a no change verdict, there a...
Inflation creeps up, rate increases could be on the cards for late 2026
Rates are still expected to remain largely flat this year, but with inflation running slightly higher than we'd like, hikes could ...
Interest rates officially on the move again following holiday break
Interest rates have started to move again following the break—with a number of major lenders matching the fixed rate increases we ...
GDP back in the red—strengthening case for October OCR cut
Every few days, it seems, we’re being hit with a fresh wave of weak economic data—with the latest being the June 2025 quarter GDP result. Here's what it means for interest rates.
RBNZ drops OCR to 3.00%—and it's not done yet
And just like that, we're back at 3.00%—but in a somewhat unexpected twist, the RBNZ has signaled significant OCR cuts still to come, getting us down to 2.50% either later in 2025 or early 2026.
Opposing forces leave OCR outlook uncertain
On the one hand, the NZ economy still isn't in great shape. On the other, offshore uncertainty is causing concern around the future of inflation. So, what does that mean for the OCR in the coming months?
Reserve Bank hits the pause button, holding the OCR at 3.25%
The RBNZ hit pause on rate cuts on 9 July—holding the OCR steady at 3.25%—citing signs of life in the economy, and overseas factors causing concern.
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