The New Zealand dollar dips as the central bank chief calls for a weaker currency to boost exports, inflation

• The appreciation of the New Zealand dollar has put pressure on export earnings, RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler said
• The central bank wants to ensure a recovery in exports such as the key dairy sector is sustained

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Graeme Wheeler said on Wednesday that a lower New Zealand dollar was needed to help bolster the export sector and push up inflation, triggering a selloff in the local currency.

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Policymakers have long grappled with strong demand for the New Zealand dollar, often driven by its yield appeal, with the main concern being that rapid rises could hurt exporters' margins and temper import-driven inflation.

"The appreciation in the exchange rate has been a headwind for the tradables sector and, by reducing already weak tradables inflation, made it more difficult to reach the Bank's inflation
goals," Wheeler said in a speech reflecting on this five-year term as governor before he steps down on Sept. 26.

The New Zealand currency fell to $0.7241 from $0.7263, after the bank released the speech on its website.

"He reiterated that a lower New Zealand dollar is needed, that was enough to spook the market," said Doug Steel, senior economist at BNZ.

Trade has picked up pace over the past few months, thanks to a rebound in the price of dairy —New Zealand's main export earner. However, as the economy has slowed in the last
quarter, policy makers have been keen to temper the currency's strength lest it undermines the trade sector.

The RBNZ is also concerned about keeping inflation moving towards the top-end of its medium term target of 1-3 percent. Annual inflation is currently running at 1.7 percent.

"A lower New Zealand dollar is needed to increase tradables inflation and help deliver more balanced growth," Wheeler said.

The kiwi is poised for its worst monthly fall since January 2016, fueled in part by the central bank's ramped-up rhetoric over recent weeks for a lower currency.

Investors have also sold the kiwi on speculation that the central bank could intervene in the market, though many traders have said it is nowhere near close to that step.

Wheeler also said in his speech that loan-to-value ratios for mortgages were temporary but that there was a risk of a resurgence in house price inflation if they were removed now.