The New Zealand dollar edged higher after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen told policymakers the looming British referendum on whether to leave the European Union was among the global risks being closely watched by the Fed.
The kiwi increased to 71.21 US cents at 8am in Wellington from 71.12 cents yesterday and rose to 48.70 British pence from 48.51 pence.
Markets are in a holding pattern ahead of the June 23 vote where the British public will decide whether or not to stay part of the European bloc.
The Fed's Yellen told the Senate's banking committee that the central bank is watching the situation carefully. Still, she said she didn't "want to overblow the likely impact" of a successful 'leave' vote, which would likely stoke investor demand for safe-haven currencies, such as the greenback.
However, she said she didn't anticipate it would induce a recession in the world's biggest economy.