The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) (Māori: Te Pūtea Matua) is the central bank of New Zealand. It was established in 1934 and is currently constituted under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021.[3] The governor of the Reserve Bank, currently Adrian Orr, is responsible for New Zealand's currency and operating monetary policy.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand does not offer financial services to the public nor does it offer deposit insurance, and its website refers people to other financial institutions.
History
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand was established from 1 August 1934 by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1933. The Reserve Bank first issued banknotes in 1934, see New Zealand pound.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989, which came into effect in February 1990, introduced the regime of inflation targeting to the bank. New Zealand was the first country in the world to try this regime which was later adopted in other countries.[4]
The bank's primary functions and responsibility have been modified several times over its history. In 2018, the Labour-led coalition government passed the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Monetary Policy) Amendment Act 2018, which created the bank's monetary policy committee and codified "maximum sustainable employment" as an objective of monetary policy alongside price stability.[5]
In 2021, the Government passed the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021, which created a new statutory governance board that was appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand at the advice of the Government and Reserve Bank Governor.[6] The RBNZ Act 2021 also designated the New Zealand Treasury as the bank's external monitor, mandated that the bank publish annual performance expectations and financial risk management statements, and establish a new Foreign Reserves Coordination Framework.[7]
In December 2023, the National-led coalition government passed the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023, which eliminated maximum sustainable employment as an objective of the Bank and returned the Bank to its primary focus of managing price stability.[8][9]
Museum
RBNZ headquarters in Wellington
The Reserve Bank Museum, based at the bank's headquarters in Wellington Central, has been open to the public since 2006.[10][11]
Ownership
The Reserve Bank has been wholly owned by the New Zealand Government since 1936. The Reserve Bank is established by an Act of Parliament (the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021) and it has statutory independence. The Reserve Bank is accountable to Parliament and provides an annual dividend to the Government.[12][3]
Monetary policy
The Reserve Bank's primary function, as defined by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 is to provide "stability in the general level of prices" and "maximum sustainable employment".[13]
The Reserve Bank is responsible for independent management of monetary policy to maintain price stability. The degree of price stability is determined through a Policy Target Agreement with the Minister of Finance.[14] Policy Target Agreements are public documents and hence a government cannot secretly change the targets to gain a short term surge in economic growth.
The mechanism of this is the official cash rate which affects short-term interest rates. The bank will provide cash overnight at 0.50% above the cash rate to banks against good security with no limit. Furthermore, the bank will accept deposits from financial institutions with interest usually at the official cash rate.
Banks that offer loans at interest higher than the official cash rate will be undercut by banks that offer cheaper loans, and banks that loan out lower than the official cash rate will make less compared to other banks which can simply deposit their money in the Reserve Bank with a higher rate of return. The Reserve Bank borrows and offers loans with no limit on volumes in order to ensure that the interest rate in the market remains at the official cash rate level.
Through controlling this, the Reserve Bank can then influence short term demand in the New Zealand Economy and use this to control prices.
Adjustments to the official cash rate are made eight times a year. It can make unscheduled adjustments but does not usually do so.[citation needed]
Fractional-reserve banking
Like all modern monetary systems, the monetary system in New Zealand is based on fiat and fractional-reserve banking. In a fractional-reserve banking system, the largest portion of money created is not created by the Reserve Bank itself. Private sector commercial banks create 80% or more.
Issuing of currency
The bank by virtue of the Reserve Bank Act has the sole right of issuing New Zealand legal tender notes and coins. The Reserve Bank controls the issuing of currency to banks and also replaces used and damaged money from circulation. In March 2005, the bank decided to remove the 5 cent coin from circulation (the following year), as well as reducing the size of 10, 20 and 50 cent coins.[15]
The Reserve Bank accepts all New Zealand currency for payment at face value. This applies to all demonetised or withdrawn currency, however such currency need not be accepted by money changers as it is no longer legal tender. All decimal notes are legal tender except $1 and $2 notes as these have been withdrawn.
Damaged notes are still worth something so long as they are recognisable. The Reserve Bank website notes that as a rule of thumb if there is more than half a bank note they will pay its full value. To receive payment people have to turn in the note to either the Reserve Bank in Wellington or any bank.
Collectors coins
The Reserve Bank from time to time produces limited runs of legal tender coins for collectors and have a New Zealand theme and design. These coins generally do not circulate, but are legal tender. The coins are sold for the Reserve Bank via New Zealand Post's business unit.[16]
Prudential regulation
The Reserve Bank is responsible for the Prudential regulation of the New Zealand banking system to ensure that the system remains healthy, however it does not guarantee that a bank will not fail, or face problems.
As of April 2023[update] there are 27 registered banks. [17][18]
Capital
New Zealand-incorporated registered banks are required to maintain a minimum level of capital relative to their risk-weighted assets. This helps ensure that banks have enough money to cover any losses they might incur.[19]
Liquidity
The liquidity policy of New Zealand's locally incorporated registered banks is primarily governed by two banking prudential requirements documents: 'Liquidity policy' (BS13) and 'Liquidity policy annex – liquid assets' (BS13A). These documents are part of the banks' conditions of registration. Additionally, reporting requirements are imposed under section 93 of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989.[20]
Disclosure
All registered banks operating in New Zealand must issue a quarterly disclosure statement, which the Reserve Bank scrutinise. The purpose of these disclosure statements is to assist depositors to make sound decision and encourage banks to maintain sound banking practices
The disclosure comprises:
A key information summary that provides a brief overview of the bank's financial condition
General disclosure statement to provide comprehensive information on the bank
Supplemental disclosure statement
Credit Ratings
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Outsourcing
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Connected Exposures
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Open Bank Resolution
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Macro-Prudential
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Deposit Takers Act
In June 2023 the Deposit Takers Act replaced the RBNZ Act(1989) and the Non-Bank Deposit Takers Act (2013) as the foundational law regulating Deposit Takers (New Zealand banks, building societies and credit unions).
It creates a single regulatory regime for all deposit takers and a deposit insurance scheme.[21][22]
Insurance industry supervision
Under section 12 of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010,[23] the RBNZ is charged with the prudential supervision of the New Zealand insurance industry. This includes the licensing of persons to carry on insurance business in New Zealand.
Regulation of non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs)
Under Part 5D of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 (the "Act"), the RBNZ is charged with the enforcement of the credit rating and prudential requirements applying to non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs) in New Zealand. These functions were introduced by the enactment of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Act 2008.
Under the Non-Bank Deposit Takers Act (2013)[24] the RBNZ acts as the prudential regulator and licensing authority for NBDTs. [25]
Governors
The following have served as governors of the Reserve Bank:[26]
Leslie Lefeaux (1 January 1934 – 31 December 1940)
William Fox Longley Ward (Acting Governor: 1 May 1941 – 1 February 1944), (1 February 1944 – 8 July 1948)
Edward Coldham Fussell (21 July 1948 – 20 July 1962)
The Arms of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand was granted on 1 June 1965[27][28]
Crest
A wreath of the colours Out of a Mural Crown Sable charged with three Bezants a demi Griffin Or holding between the paws a Portcullis Sable
Escutcheon
Gules two Keys in saltire wards downwards and outward, Argent in chief a representation of the Head of King Tāwhiao couped proper and in base an ancient Ship sail furled pennon and flags flying oars in action and in fess a Bull's Head couped and a Fleece Or
Supporters
On either side a Lion Sable each gorged with a collar of Bezants pendant therefrom a Key wards downwards and inwards Or
Motto
Securitas et Vigilantia (Latin: security and vigilance)
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