Independent Review of the Operation of Monetary Policy in New Zealand

In May 2000, the Government announced that the New Zealand monetary policy framework would be reviewed. Professor Lars Svensson of Stockholm University was appointed to undertake the review and to report by the end of February 2001. Professor Svensson’s report was released by the Treasurer/Minister of Finance on 28 February.

In this issue of the Bulletin, we have published the Executive Summary and recommendations of the Svensson Report, together with the terms of reference of the review. The complete report by Professor Svensson can be obtained from the New Zealand Treasury and can be accessed on www.monpolreview.govt.nz – the monetary policy review website, and on www.rbnz.govt.nz – the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s website.

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Thinking Positively About Monetary Policy – How “Quantitative Easing” Can Serve The Public Good

Nervous pundits are predicting the end of American life as we know it, after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke announced on March 18 that he would be dropping yet another trillion dollars in helicopter money – up to $300 billion to buy long-term government bonds and an additional $750 billion to buy private debt, with the Term Asset-backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) to be opened up for the sake of consumers and small businesses. The dollar immediately experienced its worst drop in 25 years, amid worries that the Fed’s intervention would spur hyperinflation. Typical of the concerned commentators expressing these sentiments was Mark Larson, who wrote in “Money and Markets” on March 20:

“This is Banana Republic-type stuff! And I’m not talking about the clothing store. Printing money out of thin air at the central bank, only to turn around and buy debt securities issued by your Treasury, is the kind of practice you typically see in emerging market regimes. We’re essentially monetizing our country’s debt and deliberately devaluing our country’s currency.”

» Read more: Thinking Positively About Monetary Policy – How “Quantitative Easing” Can Serve The Public Good

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Conduct of Monetary Policy

Two views seem to have clearly emerged about the conduct of monetary policy in the country. There are several analysts who think that there is now enough evidence to suggest that the monetary policy stance of the State Bank needs to be eased.

With import growth contained and a steady downward trend achieved in (non-food, non-energy) core inflation, the SBP is in a position to reverse its tight policy and ease interest rates as early as the first quarter of 2007.

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