Economic Pulse

Official Cash Rate
2.25%
— Held flat · Feb & Apr 2026
Held at 2.25% — Apr 2026
Down from 5.50% peak (Aug 2024)
CPI Inflation (Annual)
3.1%
↑ Above 1–3% target band
Q4 2025 (Dec quarter)
Electricity & rates key drivers
GDP Growth (Annual)
1.3%
↑ Annual growth for second consecutive quarter
Q4 2025 (Dec quarter)
+0.2% quarterly growth
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
↑ Highest since Sep 2015
Q4 2025 (Dec quarter)
165,000 unemployed persons
Current context
April 2026
🏠 Mortgage rates The OCR has been cut 325bps since Aug 2024. Fixed mortgage rates have generally declined over the same period, though rates vary by lender and term. Current rates are listed on the
🥝 KiwiSaver returns Growth and Aggressive funds recorded 1-year returns of +9–12.8% for the year to 31 December 2025. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. View full fund data on the
OCR Cutting Cycle — Aug 2024 to Present
9 Cuts · −325bps
Decision Date OCR After Change Decision Key Context
14 Aug 20245.25%−25bpsCUTFirst cut — inflation returning to band
9 Oct 20244.75%−50bpsCUTEconomy subdued, weak activity
27 Nov 20244.25%−50bpsCUTInflation within target band
19 Feb 20253.75%−50bpsCUTSpare capacity opening, weak demand
9 Apr 20253.50%−25bpsCUTGlobal tariff uncertainty weighing on NZ
28 May 20253.25%−25bpsCUTEconomic recovery gradual, exports strong
9 Jul 20253.00%−25bpsCUTInflation expected to stay within band
8 Oct 20252.50%−50bpsCUTSpare capacity, GDP contracted Q2
26 Nov 20252.25%−25bpsCUTNear cycle bottom, balanced risks
18 Feb 20262.25%HOLDInflation briefly above band in Q4 2025
8 Apr 20262.25%HOLDMiddle East conflict uncertainty; near-term inflation risk flagged, watching global supply chains
Neutral Rate: The RBNZ estimates the long-run neutral OCR at approximately 2.75%. With the current OCR at 2.25%, monetary policy is now mildly stimulatory.
🧮 Rates are near multi-year lows. Use the Mortgage calculator to see fortnightly repayments at today's rates, or the KiwiSaver Forecast to model your retirement balance.
GDP Growth
Q1 2024 – Q4 2025
NZ GDP Quarterly Growth: Q1 2024 to Q4 2025 1% 0.5% 0% -0.5% -1% -0.2% Q1 24 2024 -0.4% Q2 24 +0.2% Q3 24 +0.5% Q4 24 +0.8% Q1 25 2025 -1.0% Q2 25 +0.9% Q3 25 ® +0.2% Q4 25 Annual: GDP +1.3% YoY in Q4 2025 · Q3 revised to +0.9% · ® = revised
CPI Inflation
Q1 2023 – Q4 2025
NZ CPI Annual Inflation: Q1 2023 to Q4 2025 3% 1% target 2% 4% 6% 8% 6.7% 3.1% Q1 23 2023 Q3 23 Q1 24 2024 Q3 24 Q1 25 2025 Q3 25 Q4 25
Unemployment Rate
Q4 2023 – Q4 2025
NZ Unemployment Rate: Q4 2023 to Q4 2025 4.0% 4.5% 5.0% 5.5% 6.0% 4.0% Q4 23 2023 4.3% Q1 24 4.6% Q2 24 4.8% Q3 24 5.1% Q4 24 2024 5.3% Q1 25 5.4% Q2 25 5.4% Q3 25 5.4% Q4 25 2025
Economic Outlook
April 2026
Monetary PolicyMildly Stimulatory
OCR vs Neutral Rate2.25% vs 2.75%
Inflation Target BandAbove (3.1% vs 1–3%)
GDP TrendRecovering (+0.2% Q4)
Labour MarketSoftening (5.4%)
Next OCR Decision28 May 2026
NZ GDP grew +0.2% in Q4 2025 (annual: +1.3%), with the RBNZ now expecting inflation to return to the 2% target within 12 months. The RBNZ held the OCR at 2.25% on 8 April 2026 — citing Middle East conflict disruption to global supply chains and near-term upward inflation pressure. The MPC noted weak domestic demand should limit cost pass-through. Next review: 28 May 2026 (MPS).
Edit mode — click any return figure to update it.

KiwiSaver Fund Returns

After-fees performance ranked by return · 31 December 2025 quarter

Showing

Conservative

— funds
# Fund 3M% 1Yr% 3Yr p.a. 5Yr p.a. 10Yr p.a. Fee%FUMMembers
Fee ≤0.50%
0.51–0.99%
≥1.00%
— = no data yet

Moderate

— funds
# Fund 3M% 1Yr% 3Yr p.a. 5Yr p.a. 10Yr p.a. Fee%FUMMembers
Fee ≤0.50%
0.51–0.99%
≥1.00%
— = no data yet

Balanced

— funds
# Fund 3M% 1Yr% 3Yr p.a. 5Yr p.a. 10Yr p.a. Fee%FUMMembers
Fee ≤0.50%
0.51–0.99%
≥1.00%
— = no data yet

Growth

— funds
# Fund 3M% 1Yr% 3Yr p.a. 5Yr p.a. 10Yr p.a. Fee%FUMMembers
Fee ≤0.50%
0.51–0.99%
≥1.00%
— = no data yet

Aggressive

— funds
# Fund 3M% 1Yr% 3Yr p.a. 5Yr p.a. 10Yr p.a. Fee%FUMMembers
Fee ≤0.50%
0.51–0.99%
≥1.00%
— = no data yet
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Returns after fees, before tax. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Data as at 31 December 2025, sourced from the Disclose Register. Consult a licensed financial adviser for personal guidance.
How to read this table
Return figures (1Yr%, 3Yr, 5Yr, 10Yr columns)
+5.2% Positive return — fund grew in value
−1.3% Negative return — fund lost value
No data yet (fund too new for this period)
Fee% column — annual fund charge colour coded
≤0.50% — low fee, keeps more of your return
0.51–0.99% — moderate fee
≥1.00% — high fee, erodes returns significantly over time
💡 Why fees matter so much

A 1% annual fee difference on a KiwiSaver balance compounds to $100,000–$300,000 less at retirement over a 40-year working life — modelled using the KiwiRates calculator across typical NZ salary and contribution scenarios.

The Fee% shown is the total annual fund charge (management fee + expenses). Returns shown are already after fees are deducted.

Fund type reference — asset allocation guide
Click any fund type below to jump to that category · For information only — not a recommendation
Conservative
~20% growth assets, ~80% income assets
Moderate
~40% growth assets, ~60% income assets
Balanced
~60% growth assets, ~40% income assets
Growth
~80% growth assets, ~20% income assets
Aggressive
~100% growth assets, minimal income assets

NZ Interest Rates

Fixed mortgage rates from major NZ banks and lenders

Loading...
🧮 See what these rates mean for your repayments. Enter your loan amount into the Mortgage Repayment calculator — results update as you type.
Main banks
Other providers

= lowest rate for that term across all providers shown.

📊 Context: The OCR dropped from 5.50% to 2.25% between Aug 2024 and Nov 2025 — 325bps across 9 cuts. The RBNZ has now held at 2.25% for two consecutive reviews (Feb and Apr 2026), citing Middle East supply chain disruption and near-term inflation risk. Fixed mortgage rates have generally followed the cut cycle, though with a lag. Shorter fixed terms (6 months, 1 year) are currently priced lower than longer terms at most lenders. Rate conditions and individual circumstances vary — speak with a licensed mortgage adviser for personalised guidance.

Financial Calculators

Results update as you type  ⬤ Live

🥝
KiwiSaver Forecast
Project your balance at retirement
$
$
%
Default rising to 3.5% from Apr 2026
%
Minimum 3% required by law
%
Conservative ~4–5% · Balanced ~6–8% · Growth ~8–10%
%
Typical: 0.2%–1.5% ·
Govt contributes 25c per $1 you contribute, up to $260.72/yr (from July 2025). Not available if income >$180k.

Assumptions: Salary grows with inflation (2% p.a.) — real purchasing power of contributions held constant. Constant return rate, monthly contributions. Govt: 25c per $1 up to $260.72/yr (from July 2025). Returns after fees, before tax (most KiwiSaver funds are taxed as PIEs — your PIR tax rate applies). Illustrative only — not financial advice.

KiwiSaver Results

Projected balance
Nominal (future dollars)
Total contributed
You + employer + govt
Investment growth
Returns minus fees
Real value (today's dollars)
Adjusted for 2% annual inflation
Purchasing power lost
Eroded over
ContributionsGrowth
Contributions + govt + employer
Investment growth
Total annual contributions: (you + employer + govt)
Balance over time
Contributions
Total balance
🏠
Mortgage Repayment
Monthly, fortnightly or weekly payments
$
NZ median house price ~$780k. Deposit typically 20%
% p.a.
years
Standard NZ term is 25–30 years
Fortnightly saves ~2–3 years vs monthly over a 30yr loan

Assumptions: P&I repayments, fixed rate for full term. Fortnightly = monthly × 12 ÷ 26. Illustrative only.

Mortgage Results

Fortnightly payment
Total repaid
Total interest
PrincipalInterest
Remaining balance over time
Remaining balance
Cumulative interest
📈
Compound Interest
Watch your money grow over time
$
$
%
years

Assumptions: Constant return rate, monthly compounding. Inflation adjustment uses 2% p.a. (RBNZ target midpoint). Does not account for tax or variable returns. Illustrative only.

Compound Results

Final value
Nominal (future dollars)
Total invested
Interest earned
Real value (today's dollars)
Adjusted for 2% annual inflation
Purchasing power lost
Eroded over
InvestedInterest
Portfolio value over time
Total invested
Portfolio value
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Current NZ Financial Data — April 2026

RBNZ OCR
2.25% — held April 2026
Next OCR Decision
28 May 2026 (MPS)
1-Year Fixed Mortgage (lowest)
~4.90% p.a. (April 2026)
CPI Inflation
3.1% annual (Q4 2025)
GDP Growth
+1.3% annual, +0.2% quarterly (Q4 2025)
Unemployment Rate
5.4% (Q4 2025) — highest since Sep 2015
KiwiSaver Growth Fund 1yr Return
+9% to +12.8% (best: ASB & Westpac +12.8%, Dec 2025)
Lowest-Fee KiwiSaver (Simplicity)
0.24% p.a. (diversified funds, from Sep 2025)
KiwiSaver Funds Compared
113 funds, 23 providers
Mortgage Lenders Tracked
ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank & more

Sources: RBNZ · Stats NZ · Disclose Register. Updated manually after each official release. Not financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current RBNZ OCR rate in New Zealand?

The RBNZ Official Cash Rate is 2.25% as of April 2026, held at two consecutive reviews (February and April 2026). The OCR peaked at 5.50% in August 2024 and was cut 325 basis points across 9 decisions through to November 2025. The next OCR decision is 28 May 2026. Source: RBNZ.

Which KiwiSaver fund has the best returns in NZ?

For the year to 31 December 2025, Growth category KiwiSaver funds returned approximately +9% to +12.8% after fees. The top-performing Growth funds ranked by 1-year return were: ASB Growth Fund (+12.8%), Westpac Growth Fund (+12.8%), AMP Growth Fund (+12.7%), Milford Active Growth Fund (+12.5%), and MAS Growth Fund (+12.2%). Simplicity Growth Fund also performed strongly at +12.1% with the lowest fee (0.24%) among Growth funds. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Compare all 113 funds on the KiwiSaver Returns tab above.

What are current NZ mortgage rates?

As of April 2026, 1-year fixed mortgage rates across major NZ banks range from approximately 4.9%–5.3% p.a. Shorter terms (6-month and 1-year) are currently priced lower than longer terms at most lenders. Following the RBNZ's 325bps OCR cutting cycle (August 2024–November 2025), rates have fallen significantly from ~7.0–7.5% peaks in 2023. Live rates from ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, Kiwibank, HSBC, SBS Bank, and others are shown on the Interest Rates tab above.

What is the lowest-fee KiwiSaver provider in New Zealand?

As at 31 December 2025, the lowest-fee KiwiSaver providers are Simplicity (0.24% p.a. for all diversified funds, reduced from 0.25% in September 2025) and Kernel (0.25% p.a. for core diversified funds — High Growth, Balanced, Cash Plus). A 1% annual fee difference compounds to $100,000–$300,000 less at retirement over a 40-year career. Fee data sourced from the NZ Disclose Register.

What is the NZ inflation rate?

New Zealand's annual CPI inflation rate is 3.1% as at Q4 2025 (December quarter), slightly above the RBNZ's 1–3% target band. Key drivers include electricity prices and local government rates. The RBNZ expects inflation to return to the 2% target midpoint within 12 months. Source: Stats NZ.

How do I withdraw KiwiSaver for a first home?

KiwiSaver members can withdraw most of their balance for a first home purchase after 3 years of contributing. You must leave a minimum of $1,000 in your account. The annual government contribution (up to $260.72 from 1 July 2025) cannot be withdrawn. Consult a licensed financial adviser for personal guidance.