i

Home Loan Rate Report: RBNZ delivers a 0.5% cut, mortgages keep easing (Oct 17 update)

  • Central banks around the world including NZ held monetary policy at restrictive levels until recently to lower inflation
  • NZ’s Official Cash Rate (OCR) was held at 5.5% since May 2023, the highest level since 2008
  • But with inflation now cooling, the RBNZ has lowered the OCR in August 2024 (-0.25%), and again in October (-0.5%). Our view is the RBNZ will continue to reduce the OCR in November and over 2025

Contact us

Chris Tennent-Brown

ASB Wealth Senior Economist

Chris has worked as an economist for ASB and Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney since 2005. His work has involved monitoring and forecasting trends in the New Zealand economy, with a focus on drawing implications for financial markets and investments. Chris is passionate about savings issues, and much of his current work is focussed on broadening peoples understanding of investments. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University, majoring in Economics, and prior to joining ASB worked in the funds management industry for Bankers Trust and BT Funds Management. With over 20 years' experience in finance, Chris has also spent several years farming, and was a New Zealand representative cyclist. When not at work, Chris likes to travel, cycle, and spend time with his family and numerous pets.

Other reports