New Zealand Interest Rate
Jul 2026 · Monthly
New Zealand's policy interest rate held at 2.5% in August 2026, unchanged from July 2026. The rate had been 2.25% from November 2025 through June 2026 before rising to 2.5% in July 2026. The current level is down from 3% a year earlier, in August 2025. The all-time high of 54.3% was recorded in February 1985, while the all-time low of 0.25% was set in September 2021, according to the Bank for International Settlements.
source: Bank for International Settlements
New Zealand's policy interest rate rose to 2.5% in July 2026 from 2.25% in the prior month. The rate remains well below the all-time high of 54.3% set in February 1985 and above the record low of 0.25% from September 2021. The series dates back to January 1985.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5% | 2.3% | 54.3%Feb 1985 | 0.3%Sep 2021 | 1985 – 2026 | Monthly |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 1.69 per USD | 1.73 per USD | 2.51 per USD | 0.68 per USD | Aug 2026 | Monthly |
| Inflation Rate | 2.8% | 2.9% | 17.2% | -0.1% | Dec 2025 | Annual |
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About this series
Interest Rate in New Zealand averaged 5.0% from 1990 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 54.3% in Feb 1985 and a record low of 0.3% in Sep 2021. The series is reported monthly with history from 1985.
The policy interest rate is the benchmark rate set by the central bank to influence monetary conditions. It is expressed as an annual percentage and reported monthly. The series covers the period from January 1985 to the present.
Source & methodology
Bank for International Settlements · BIS central bank policy rates
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