The New Zealand dollar closed today slightly higher against both the United States and Australian currencies.
At 5pm, the kiwi was at US73.45c (from US73.34c at 5pm yesterday), while against the aussie it was at A94.23c (A94.10c).
BNZ currency strategist Sue Trinh said the kiwi turned in another robust performance today.
It had gained against the aussie after that country's Reserve Bank (RBA) today issued its monetary policy statement, having held its benchmark interest rate at 5.5 per cent on Wednesday.
"The (RBA) statement today gave some mixed messages," Ms Trinh said.
It said further rate hikes could not be ruled out, but at the moment there was no pressing need for them.
"That's seen the kiwi-aussie cross get a foothold around that A94.20c area," Ms Trinh said.
"If it stays up around here -- with the risk that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand could tighten in June -- it (the kiwi-aussie cross) could be on route to test A95c, sooner rather than later."
The kiwi's performance against the greenback is likely to be affected by the US non-farm payrolls report out tonight. The report is expected to show 170,000 jobs were created in April.
"A strong number will see recent US dollar weakness reverse," Ms Trinh said.
Meanwhile, at 5pm the euro was at US$1.2941 (US$1.2955), while the greenback was buying 104.75 yen (104.51), and the aussie was at US77.95c (US77.95c)
On its other major crosses, the kiwi was at 0.5676 euro (0.5662), 76.93 yen (76.59), 38.64 British pence (38.55) and 0.8777 Swiss francs (0.8737).
The trade-weighted index was at 71.55 (71.39) and the monetary conditions index was at plus 1135 (1125).
On the money markets, the 90-day bank bill yields were at 7.07 per cent (7.08), July 2009 bonds were at 5.96 per cent (5.97) and April 2015s were at 5.82 per cent (5.84).
- NZPA
<EM>Currency:</EM> NZ dollar higher against US, aussie
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