Interest rates drive prices down: Westpac New Zealand’s housing market is firmly in slowdown mode, Westpac’s chief economist says. Dominick Stephens said data from QV and REINZ confirmed the beginning of a trend. He said the fall in sales was most noticeable in the cheaper end of the market and had hit all regions except Queenstown.
20-02-2014 more >>
Lower rates may be looming Lower mortgage rates could be on the horizon after yesterday’s official cash rate announcement and monetary policy statement, one economist says. 15-03-2013 more >>
Hint of optimism in OCR announcement The decision this morning to leave the official cash rate (OCR) unchanged at 2.5% hasn’t surprised anyone – but the hint of optimism included with the Reserve Bank governor’s statement has. 25-10-2012 more >>
RBNZ targets house prices The new Reserve Bank Governor must increase the OCR if house prices rise rapidly, even if inflation is on target. Finance Minister Bill English and RBNZ Governor-Designate Graeme Wheeler signed a new Policy Targets Agreement (PTA) yesterday. The Reserve Bank Act states that the Governor is accountable for maintaining price stability. 21-09-2012 more >>
Rest of country will catch up to Auckland: Westpac Auckland may be the runaway real estate market at the moment but New Zealanders shouldn’t expect it to stay that way forever, Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says. 10-08-2012 more >>
Westpac issues warnings Westpac says that if the Official Cash Rate doesn’t rise by July 2013, the country’s housing market could go from warm to “positively frothyâ€. 01-08-2012 more >>
Fix mortgages now: Westpac Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says there are only “limited downsides†to fixing a mortgage now. 25-06-2012 more >>
Bollard keeps rates on hold; OCR cut an outside chance Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard's latest monetary policy statement suggests mortgage rates aren't going up any time soon although the likelihood they might fall further remains an outside chance. 14-06-2012 more >>
Rise, stall then fall predicted for house prices House prices will rise 5% this year before higher interest rates put the brakes on, and the rapid price rises in Auckland and Christchurch will not be repeated elsewhere. 28-03-2012 more >>
Bollard spooks market Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard spooked financial markets slightly into thinking he may raise interest rates sooner than they had anticipated although, as expected, he's left rates unchanged for now. 27-10-2011 more >>
Bollard likely to keep interest rates on hold this week Continuing turmoil in global financial markets is likely to stay Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard's hand on Thursday but the big question is how long will it keep him on hold. 12-09-2011 more >>
Bollard takes a bob-each-way to OCR review Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard took a bob-each-way approach to reviewing interest rates which has left economists and financial markets scratching their heads. 28-07-2011 more >>
