New Zealand dollar gaining ground versus Aussie

The kiwi gained to A91.96c at 5pm from A91.75c at 8am. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The New Zealand gained against the Aussie after disappointing business confidence across the Tasman and extended its gains against the greenback on speculation Adrian Orr will make a more hawkish next governor of the Reserve Bank.

The kiwi gained to A91.96c at 5pm from A91.75c at 8am and A91.53c late yesterday. It was at US69.27c at 5pm versus US68.86c late yesterday.

The kiwi pushed higher against the Aussie after business confidence eased across the Tasman. National Australia Bank's index of business conditions fell 9 points to +12 in November, unwinding all of October's surprise spike.

The kiwi also continued to benefit from news that NZ Superannuation Fund chief Orr had been named RBNZ governor after a unanimous recommendation from the bank board.

Ross Weston, a senior trader at Kiwibank, said the kiwi was "defying logic" as it should be moving in the other direction "in the shadow of the Fed", given the US Federal Reserve is expected to hike US interest rates on Thursday morning New Zealand time.

He said the Aussie news may have spurred some investors to sell Aussie and buy kiwi. Also, there "may just be a bit of a sting in the tail on this Orr news" as it has eliminated some uncertainty, he said.

He noted it overlooked news that the Ministry for Primary Industries says four new properties have tested positive for the bacterial cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, including the first outbreak in the North Island.

"It's taking a lot in its stride," he said.

The trade-weighted index rose to 73.43 versus 72.96.

Looking ahead, he said markets will be focused on the Fed Thursday as well as monetary policy decisions from both the European Central Bank and Bank of England.

Domestically, the government's half-year economic and fiscal update and budget policy statement Thursday will be closely watched.

The local currency advanced to 51.91p from 51.40p and to 58.86 euro cents from 58.44 euro cents. It gained to 78.63 yen from 78.18 yen and rose to 4.5874 yuan from 4.5562 yuan.

New Zealand's two-year swap rate fell 3 basis points to 2.12 per cent and the 10-year swaps rose 6 basis points to 3.17 per cent.