Articles tagged with Interest Rates

New Zealand's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks to 5.2% - Historic Low

2 weeks ago | 181 views

New Zealand's gender pay gap decreased from 8.2% to 5.2% in the June 2025 quarter, the lowest since data collection began in 1998, as reported by Stats NZ. Minister for Women, Nicola Grigg, hailed the improvement as positive news for women in the country. The government is dedicated to economic growth, with efforts to reduce pay gaps, increase wages, and create more job opportunities, though challenges persist in addressing ethnic pay gaps.

Tags: New Zealand gender pay gap Stats NZ Nicola Grigg Minister for Women wages inflation interest rates economic empowerment ethnic groups

How Falling Interest Rates Benefit Growth, Businesses, Jobs, and Kiwis: Finance Minister's Insights

3 weeks ago | 154 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the benefits of falling interest rates, including support for growth, businesses, job creation, and mortgage holders. The Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 percent, with further decreases expected. Lower interest rates stimulate economic activity, reduce mortgage repayments, and are seen as a positive response to economic challenges, signaling improving conditions and effective economic management by the government.

Tags: interest rates growth businesses jobs Kiwis mortgages Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate

Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reacts to Lower Than Forecast Unemployment Rates

1 month ago | 300 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has acknowledged the latest labour market data, revealing a lower-than-expected unemployment rate of 5.2% for the June quarter, below the Treasury's forecast of 5.4%. Despite challenges like inflation and rising interest rates, the government's efforts have led to 8,000 fewer unemployed individuals than initially projected, with a focus on economic recovery and job creation through initiatives like government-funded construction projects and investment incentives. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in average hourly earnings by 4.5% in the past year, surpassing the inflation rate of 2.7%.

Tags: labour market unemployment Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Treasury forecast economic management inflation interest rates job creation

New Zealand’s Stable Economy: Government’s Fiscal Management Keeps Official Cash Rate Low

2 months ago | 639 views

The Government’s responsible fiscal management has supported the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today announced it would keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3. 25 per cent while continuing to foreshadow further reductions in the OCR.

Tags: Government fiscal management Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate Finance Minister Nicola Willis New Zealand OCR interest rates economic management