The New Zealand dollar rose to $0.591, its highest level in six weeks, as higher-than-expected inflation data reinforced the case for tighter monetary policy. Consumer prices increased 3.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, the same pace as in the prior quarter and exceeding forecasts of a 2.9% rise. The reading remained above the upper end of the RBNZ’s 1-3% target range. Price pressures are expected to intensify further in the second quarter as the full impact of higher energy costs feeds into the data, prompting speculation that the central bank may raise rates sooner than previously indicated. Traders now assign over a 50% chance of a May rate hike, up from below 30% a few days ago. However, there is some caution, as the economy is only beginning to recover from a prolonged downturn. Separate data showed business confidence slumped in the first quarter, with firms signaling plans to cut investment and reduce staffing as rising prices due to the Middle East war weighed on profits.

The NZD/USD exchange rate rose to 0.5912 on April 22, 2026, up 0.32% from the previous session. Over the past month, the New Zealand Dollar has strengthened 0.90%, but it's down by 0.73% over the last 12 months. Historically, the New Zealand Dollar reached an all time high of 1.49 in October of 1973. New Zealand Dollar - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 22 of 2026.

The NZD/USD exchange rate rose to 0.5912 on April 22, 2026, up 0.32% from the previous session. Over the past month, the New Zealand Dollar has strengthened 0.90%, but it's down by 0.73% over the last 12 months. The New Zealand Dollar is expected to trade at 0.59 by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 0.61 in 12 months time.



Crosses Price Day Year Date
NZDUSD 0.5912 0.0019 0.32% -0.73% Apr/22
EURNZD 1.9867 -0.0053 -0.27% 4.46% Apr/22
GBPNZD 2.2858 -0.0053 -0.23% 2.61% Apr/22
AUDNZD 1.2114 -0.0022 -0.18% 13.34% Apr/22
NZDJPY 94.1330 0.2133 0.23% 10.18% Apr/22
NZDCNY 4.0385 0.0145 0.36% -7.63% Apr/22
NZDCHF 0.4619 0.0016 0.34% -6.70% Apr/22
NZDCAD 0.8073 0.0020 0.25% -2.35% Apr/22
NZDMXN 10.2354 0.0283 0.28% -12.72% Apr/22
NZDINR 55.5278 0.3560 0.65% 8.95% Apr/22
NZDRUB 44.6213 0.3884 0.88% -8.45% Apr/22
NZDKRW 874.3727 0.5941 0.07% 2.26% Apr/22
NZDIDR 10,168.8630 67.6717 0.67% 0.86% Apr/22
NZDARS 813.3218 3.2022 0.40% 23.32% Apr/22
NZDCZK 12.2567 0.0530 0.43% -6.61% Apr/22
NZDDKK 3.7625 0.0124 0.33% -3.74% Apr/22
NZDHUF 183.2734 0.8370 0.46% -14.39% Apr/22
NZDMYR 2.3398 0.0115 0.49% -10.87% Apr/22
NZDBRL 2.9246 -0.0014 -0.05% -16.12% Apr/21
 Currencies
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Related Last Previous Unit Reference
New Zealand Inflation Rate 3.10 3.10 percent Mar 2026
United States Inflation Rate 3.30 2.40 percent Mar 2026
New Zealand Interest Rate 2.25 2.25 percent Apr 2026
United States Fed Funds Interest Rate 3.75 3.75 percent Mar 2026
United States Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.40 percent Mar 2026
New Zealand Unemployment Rate 5.40 5.30 percent Dec 2025

New Zealand Dollar
The NZDUSD spot exchange rate specifies how much one currency, the NZD, is currently worh in terms of the other, the USD. While the NZDUSD spot exchange rate is quoted and exchanged in the same day, the NZDUSD forward rate is quoted today but for delivery and payment on a specific future date.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.59 0.59 1.49 0.39 1971 - 2026 Daily

News Stream
New Zealand Dollar Rises After Inflation Data
The New Zealand dollar rose to $0.591, its highest level in six weeks, as higher-than-expected inflation data reinforced the case for tighter monetary policy. Consumer prices increased 3.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, the same pace as in the prior quarter and exceeding forecasts of a 2.9% rise. The reading remained above the upper end of the RBNZ’s 1-3% target range. Price pressures are expected to intensify further in the second quarter as the full impact of higher energy costs feeds into the data, prompting speculation that the central bank may raise rates sooner than previously indicated. Traders now assign over a 50% chance of a May rate hike, up from below 30% a few days ago. However, there is some caution, as the economy is only beginning to recover from a prolonged downturn. Separate data showed business confidence slumped in the first quarter, with firms signaling plans to cut investment and reduce staffing as rising prices due to the Middle East war weighed on profits.
2026-04-21
New Zealand Dollar Drops Further
The New Zealand dollar slipped toward $0.587 on Monday, extending its retreat from an over five-week high as risk sentiment weakened amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again on Saturday, just hours after reopening it, citing “repeated breaches of trust” by the US and the continuation of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, the latest domestic data showed softer food inflation and moderating consumer spending, reinforcing expectations that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand may keep interest rates unchanged for now. However, while price pressures are easing in some categories, underlying inflation remains a key concern, and the RBNZ has recently signaled that it is prepared to raise rates should core inflation accelerate. Attention now turns to the release of the first-quarter CPI reading for further clues on the monetary policy outlook.
2026-04-20
New Zealand Dollar Declines
The New Zealand dollar fell to around $0.588 as softer food inflation and moderating consumer spending reinforced expectations that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand may keep interest rates unchanged for now. Food prices, which account for nearly 19% of the CPI basket, rose 3.4% year-on-year in March, easing from a 4.5% increase in February and marking the lowest level in just over a year. Meanwhile, core electronic card spending increased 0.7% month-on-month, slowing from the previous 1.4% rise. Together, the data pointed to cooling inflation and spending, reducing the urgency for immediate policy tightening. However, while price pressures are easing in some categories, underlying inflation remains a key concern, and the RBNZ has recently signaled it is prepared to hike rates should core inflation accelerates. Despite the fall, the kiwi remains close to an over five-week high, supported by improved risk sentiment amid hopes for a negotiated end to the Middle East war.
2026-04-17