Kelly Eckhold
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac, where she provides insights and forecasts on economic trends and monetary policy. Recently, she projected a terminal cash rate of 3% for the current cycle, reflecting a cautious outlook amid changing economic conditions.
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Recent news mentions
Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac New Zealand, said the increased fuel costs likely cut into essential spending.
How fuel price shocks rattled a remote New Zealand village
New Zealand· 2026-05-30
Chief economist Kelly Eckhold says his 'personal view' is that the RBNZ should hike today.
New Zealand’s top-five Budget bombshells ... plus, how can economists be so divided on the need for rate hikes – Inside EconomicsNew Zealand· 2026-05-28
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac who provided insights on the economic impact of oil prices on New Zealand's inflation rate.
Iran conflict: Petrol prices, interest rates and KiwiSaver - where you could feel the financial falloutNew Zealand· 2026-03-01
Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac, said it was likely that all else being equal, pay rises this year would be lower.
Higher KiwiSaver contributions may mean lower pay risesNew Zealand· 2026-02-19
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac and commented on the RBNZ's approach to interest rates.
Reserve Bank expected to bring forward interest rate hike as inflation risk growsNew Zealand· 2026-02-15
Kelly Eckhold is Westpac’s chief economist who predicts the first Official Cash rate rise could happen next year.
Will lower interest rates finally ease the squeeze? - Nadine HigginsNew Zealand· 2025-12-20
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac who provided insights on interest rates.
Why fixed mortgage rates are headed up already after Reserve Bank cuts – Inside EconomicsNew Zealand· 2025-12-09
The Shadow Board includes Westpac’s Kelly Eckhold.
Inside Economics: One shot or two? Why the RBNZ’s interest rate call is so trickyNew Zealand· 2025-10-07
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said there doesn’t seem to be a good reason to delay a move to 2.5%.
OCR Preview: Economists divided on whether we’ll see a 25 or 50 basis point rate cut this weekNew Zealand· 2025-10-05
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold expects the RBNZ to leave its forecast rate track largely unchanged.
Inside Economics: The RBNZ’s dilemma – a two-speed economy and a one-speed OCRNew Zealand· 2025-08-19
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold has a completely different view and is much more worried about inflation rearing its head again.
OCR preview: Rate cut a shoo-in, but how much lower will the Reserve Bank go?New Zealand· 2025-08-17Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said mortgaged households have felt just half of the expected final impact of the Reserve Bank’s policy easing.
BNZ cuts mortgage rates to draw level with rival ANZNew Zealand· 2025-08-13
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac and commented on the likelihood of the next OCR cut.
OCR decision: More rate cuts to come ... or not? Reserve Bank hedges its betsNew Zealand· 2025-05-28
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac who discussed the RBNZ's assessment of the economy.
OCR call: Reserve Bank cuts Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 3.25%New Zealand· 2025-05-28Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold yesterday released an update to his earlier OCR preview.
Inside Economics: Big OCR call today as tariff turmoil threatens New Zealand recovery, will RBNZ have to cut deeper?New Zealand· 2025-04-08
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac who commented on the economic impact of Trump's tariffs.
Donald Trump’s tariff blitz good news for Kiwi motorists as oil prices slumpNew Zealand· 2025-04-07
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said the tariff shock would probably increase the odds of lower short-term interest rates.
What do US President Donald Trump’s tariffs mean for mortgage interest rates?New Zealand· 2025-04-05
Kelly Eckhold, Westpac chief economist, today flagged expectations that the Reserve Bank would cut the Official Cash Rate to 3.5% at its April meeting.
Barfoot & Thompson unsold houses hit record: 6200 places availableNew Zealand· 2025-04-01
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold upgraded their forecasts, lifting the GDP outlook for New Zealand.
Why NZ’s economic recovery feels more Prius than Ferrari - ASB economistNew Zealand· 2025-03-30
Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac who commented on the impact of Adrian Orr's resignation.
Construction / building sector likely to pick up after June, economists sayNew Zealand· 2025-03-06
Kelly Eckhold is the Westpac chief economist who commented on the replacement process.
Who could replace Adrian Orr as Reserve Bank Governor?New Zealand· 2025-03-05
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold has noted that the RBNZ made a significant downgrade to its house price forecasts.
Inside Economics: Why is the housing recovery taking so long? And what’s shrinking NZ’s current account deficit?New Zealand· 2025-03-04
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said he expected short-term mortgage and floating rates should drop further.
ANZ staff offered 4.75% two-year fixed home loan rateNew Zealand· 2025-02-21
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold noted the RBNZ made a significant downgrade to its house price forecasts.
OCR call: Reserve Bank on track for ‘more cuts sooner’ but reduces forecast for house pricesNew Zealand· 2025-02-19Kelly Eckhold is the chief economist at Westpac projecting future cash rates.
OCR preview: Big cut coming this week but future path is less certainNew Zealand· 2025-02-16