New Zealand

RBNZ appoints 'fresh' face to advisory role

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has appointed Terry McFadgen as a part-time monetary policy advisor. The RBNZ employs two people as external advisors (the other advisor is Malcolm Bailey) to bring an outside perspective to decision making processes. The…

RBNZ's Bollard speaks on ANZ acquisition

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand released an excerpt from a speech by Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard on 6 November. It outlines the policy initiatives taken by the Reserve Bank in dealing with the application by the ANZ to buy National Bank. The…

Brash reaches National Party summit

Just 15 months after leaving the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, ex-governor Don Brash has just been appointed head of the NZ opposition. Bill English got the boot in a secret ballot after two failed election attempts to oust Helen Clark's Labour Party from…

FSAP in New Zealand

Officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are now in New Zealand undertaking a previously announced Financial Sector Assessment Programme, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said on 31 October.

RBNZ can veto bosses in biggest ever bank merger

The RBNZ cleared New Zealand's biggest ever commercial deal, the takeover of the National Bank by ANZ, but added the condition that it could veto senior appointments of directors or senior management. It is the first time new prudential banking…

RBNZ leaves rates unchanged

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand left interest rates unchanged at 5 per cent on Thursday 23 October. "As noted in our September monetary policy statement, the New Zealand economy has been enjoying strong economic growth, with robust domestic demand…

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Sep 2003

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand published its quarterly Bulletin for September 2003. Among the articles is an annual review of developments affecting New Zealand's financial stability. In the review the RBNZ concludes that New Zealand's financial sector…

Bollard on Investing in a low inflation world

In a speech on 'Investing in a low inflation world' given on 14 October, Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand warned that too many New Zealanders are taking higher risks than they realise in the way they borrow and invest. Dr Bollard said that…

Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Annual Report 2003

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its Annual Report for 2003. For the currency function the year was a period of consolidation, Governor Alan Bollard said in his statement, making sure the system works well and embedding the new polymer notes…

RBNZ Board chair elected

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Board of Directors elected Dr Arthur Grimes as its chair on 18 September. The Board also elected Mrs Alison Paterson as the Board's Deputy Chair.

IMF set to criticise RBNZ

The IMF is expected to criticise the Reserve Bank of New Zealand when it visits New Zealand in November, according to Reuters The IMF is expected to be critical because the RBNZ has little control of banks. Most are foreign-owned by big Australian banks.

RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement, September 2003

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for September 2003. Speaking at the release of the Monetary Policy Statement Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said "New Zealand has enjoyed an extended period of strong…

Bollard issues warning to real estate buyers

Extract from an address to the Property Council of New Zealand on 9 September by Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Bollard repeated his warning that people purchasing real estate in pursuit of capital gains face risks.

New Zealand leaves Official Cash Rate unchanged

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has decided to leave the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5 per cent, 4 September. Governor Alan Bollard said "Current monetary policy settings are consistent with medium-term inflation remaining comfortably within the…

RBNZ buys BIS shares

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today announced that it had accepted an offer to become a shareholder in the BIS. The cost of the BIS shareholding is approximately NZ$100m (almost US$60m,) which has been raised from the Reserve Bank's balance sheet. In…

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Act

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Amendment Bill will change the RBNZ's arrangements slightly. The key governance change is that the Governor no longer chairs the Bank's Board of Directors, the chair being a non-executive director appointed by the non…

RBNZ focusing on banking supervision in NZ

Speaking in Wellington, Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Dr Alan Bollard said "The Reserve Bank is keen to ensure that our regulatory system is invigorated and focused." In a press release Friday the RBNZ signalled its intention to put more effort…

RBNZ reduces OCR to 5.0 per cent

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand knocked a quarter percent off its main OCR interest rate Thursday. Governor Alan Bollard said on balance a further reduction seems appropriate today, with evidence continuing to suggest slowing economic activity.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, June 2003

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand published its quarterly Bulletin for June 2003 on 8 July. The first article is the Reserve Bank's annual review of the banking system. It looks at the financial condition and performance of registered banks and…