Yesterday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced its Official Cash Rate would be moved from 3.50% to 4.25%.

The announcement comes after RBA Governor Philip Lowe spoke about the importance of quickly bringing down inflation in Australia to prevent a recession, even if this required aggressive cash rate hikes.

“We have not ruled out returning to 50 basis point increases if necessary” Dr Lowe said.

This is the single biggest increase in the history of New Zealand's Reserve Bank, but the Monetary Policy Committee that made the decision said it’s a necessary step to bring inflation back to target levels.

“Core consumer price inflation is too high, employment is beyond its maximum sustainable level and near-term inflation expectations have risen,” Committee minutes read.

“The productive capacity of the economy is being constrained by broad-based labour shortages and wage pressures are evident.

“Aggregate demand continues to outstrip New Zealand’s capacity to supply goods and services, with a range of indicators continuing to signify broad inflation based pressure.”

Global consumer price inflation, other central banks tightening their own monetary poliicy, and the ongoing slowdown in global growth were all also cited as contributory factors to the decision.

However, the news from across the Tasman comes as annual inflation in New Zealand currently sits at 7.2% - it's marginally higher in Australia at 7.3%.

The cash rate in Australia is currently 2.85%.


RBNZ meeting minutes highlighted the importance of combatting inflation quickly, to prevent a prolonged period making continued inflation seem inevitable.

“[The Committee] highlighted that the longer actual inflation remains above the target band, the more likely it is that higher inflation expectations become embedded," minutes read.

This echoes the remarks of Dr Lowe, who said “bringing inflation down again after it becomes ingrained in people’s expectations is costly and almost certainly involves a recession.”

The RBA says Australia's inflation will peak at roughly 8% later this year before a gradual decline to just over 3% by the end of 2024.

However in the words of RBA Deputy Governor Michele Bullock, RBA forecasts have historically been inaccurate.

“As the past few years demonstrates, however, it is more often a question of how wrong the forecasts will be," Ms Bullock said earlier in November.


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Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$3,011
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
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  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
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Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
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  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,899
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Flexibility to split your loan with both fixed and variable rates
Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

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