RBNZ lowers OCR 25bps to 3%

By Sophia Rodrigues

Published On 20 Aug 2025 , 12:13 PM

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut the Official Cash Rate by 25bps to 3.00%, taking the total cuts in the current easing cycle to 250bps.

The OCR had peaked at a high of 5.50% in May 2023 before it was first lowered by 25bps in August last year.

The decision was a result of a majority 4-2 vote, and following discussions of three options: Hold, 25bps cut and 50bps cut.

The RBNZ cited significant spare capacity and declining inflationary pressure as reasons for the cut, and flagged two more cuts as the base case.

"If medium-term inflation pressures continue to ease as expected, there is scope to lower the OCR further," the RBNZ said.

 

LATEST SNIPPETS

Australia July monthly CPI up 3.5% y/y

Australia's monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator rose 3.5% y/y in July compared with a 3.8% rise in June, data...

Published on : 28 Aug 2024 , 11:40 AM
RBA leaves cash rate unchanged at 4.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% at the August board meeting and reiterated the me...

Published on : 06 Aug 2024 , 02:41 PM
New Zealand Q2 inflation surprises to downside

Headline consumer price index inflation rose 0.4% q/q in Q2, resulting in a slowing in the y/y pace to 3.3% versus 4....

Published on : 17 Jul 2024 , 08:51 AM
RBNZ Leaves OCR Unchanged at 5.5%

At the July Monetary Policy Review, the RBNZ kept the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5%, saying monetary policy wi...

Published on : 10 Jul 2024 , 12:31 PM
Analysis: RBA Lowe’s Forward Guidance Viewed Through CB-Intel Stories

CB-Intel's last published article reviews RBA's forward guidance through the lens of CB-Intel stories.

...

Published on : 08 Jan 2023 , 11:32 PM
Australia AOFM’s CEO Rob Nicholl To Join IMF

The chief executive of the Australian Office of Financial Management Rob Nicholl is leaving to join the International...

Published on : 22 Jul 2022 , 04:34 PM
RBA Lowe's speech on Wed not under embargo

RBA Governor Philip Lowe will deliver a speech on July 20, but the speech will not be released under embargo, the RBA...

Published on : 19 Jul 2022 , 04:03 PM
RBNZ Hike 50bps to 2.5%

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised the official cash rate by 50bps for the third meeting in a row, taking the rat...

Published on : 13 Jul 2022 , 12:57 PM
RBA raises cash rate 50bps to 1.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased the cash rate target by 50bps to 1.35%, marking two consecutive 50-basis-...

Published on : 05 Jul 2022 , 03:03 PM
Westpac also ups RBA cash rate forecast to 2.1% by Dec (from 1.75%)

Westpac chief economist Bill Evans has raised his forecast for RBA cash rate, now expecting the policy rate to end 20...

Published on : 07 Jun 2022 , 05:21 PM