Hawkesby appointed Reserve Bank governor for six months

9th April 2025 By Staff Reporter | news@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

Christian Hawkesby has been appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for a six-month term.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis made the appointment following a recommendation from the RBNZ board, with Hawkesby’s six-month term starting yesterday. He has been acting governor since 5 March, after former governor Adrian Orr’s sudden resignation and abrupt departure.

“Mr Hawkesby is an experienced central banker who has held a number of senior positions at the Reserve Bank,” Willis said.

“His appointment was recommended by the Reserve Bank board and will help ensure the continued integrity and operations of the Reserve Bank while the search for a permanent governor is underway.”

Willis added that the RBNZ board will support Hawkesby to implement the bank’s new five-year funding agreement, which will apply from 1 July 2025.

The recruitment continues of a new governor for a five-term year term, although Hawkesby’s appointment can extended by the minister of finance for up to three additional months.

Hawkesby said: “I am proud to step into the role of governor and continue contributing to our mission of working to enable economic prosperity and wellbeing for all New Zealanders.”

Board chair Neil Quigley called Hawkesby’s leadership and expertise “invaluable” to RBNZ since he joined the central bank in 2019 as assistant governor.

Hawkesby was appointed deputy governor and general manager of RBNZ’s Financial Stability Group in 2022. He was previously at Harbour Asset Management for eight years and prior to that served at the Bank of England in the United Kingdom for nine years.

“His appointment reflects both his contributions and our confidence in his ability to continue strengthening New Zealand’s financial system, chair the Monetary Policy Committee and be CEO of RBNZ,” Quigley said.

During the recruitment process, the Monetary Policy Committee, which reviews and adjusts the Official Cash Rate, will consist of three internal RBNZ staff and three external members. As the committee’s chair, Hawkesby holds a casting vote.