The Reserve Bank is expected to play it safe today as it releases the first Official Cash Rate since the Iran war began. 

Economists predict it'll remain at 2.25% until later this year. 

ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Ryan Bridge the conflict is very much inflationary and bad for growth. 

She says until it's clear whether higher interest rates are required to head off persistent inflation or not – the best thing to do is stay in 'wait and see' mode. 

The OCR will be released at 2pm. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Reserve Bank is expected to play it safe today as it releases the first Official Cash Rate since the Iran war began.&nbsp;
Economists predict it'll remain at 2.25% until later this year.&nbsp;
ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Ryan Bridge the conflict is very much inflationary and bad for growth.&nbsp;
She says until it's clear whether higher interest rates are required to head off persistent inflation or not – the best thing to do is stay in 'wait and see' mode.&nbsp;
The OCR will be released at 2pm.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist ahead of first OCR announcement since Iran war began

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a2346d7e-c633-4a35-8531-b425017d2403/transcript

The Reserve Bank expects inflation to spike this quarter - but says it's still too early to say by how much.

The central bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 percent, for now.

It's forecasting inflation will surge to 4.2 percent in the June quarter - but admits that forecast doesn't take into account the fall in fuel prices after yesterday's Iran ceasefire announcement.

The Co-operative Bank CEO Mark Wilkshire shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge. 

The Reserve Bank expects inflation to spike this quarter - but says it's still too early to say by how much.
The central bank's opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25 percent, for now.
It's forecasting inflation will surge to 4.2 percent in the June quarter - but admits that forecast doesn't take into account the fall in fuel prices after yesterday's Iran ceasefire announcement.
The Co-operative Bank CEO Mark Wilkshire shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge.&nbsp;

Mark Wilkshire: The Co-operative Bank CEO on RBNZ keeps OCR at 2.25 percent

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c8cfe12e-1232-488e-b8a1-b426012d4d80/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 9th of April 2025, Iran and the US have agreed on a two week ceasefire, Intelligence, Foreign Policy Analyst and former US Navy Senior Chief Malcolm Nance tells Ryan if it will hold. 

Huge drug hauls are being caught at Auckland Airport, Drug Detection Agency CEO Glen Dobson tells Ryan why there's so much more drugs coming in. 

The OCR held steady at 2.25%, but the Reserve Bank says inflation will peak at 4.2% this quarter, the Co-operative Bank CEO, Mark Wilshire shares his thoughts. 

Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump changing tact on Iran, with negotiations set to commence on Friday in Pakistan and the Artemis crew heading back to Earth after reaching the far side of the Moon. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 9th of April 2025, Iran and the US have agreed on a two week ceasefire, Intelligence, Foreign Policy Analyst and former US Navy Senior Chief Malcolm Nance tells Ryan if it will hold.&nbsp;
Huge drug hauls are being caught at Auckland Airport, Drug Detection Agency CEO Glen Dobson tells Ryan why there's so much more drugs coming in.&nbsp;
The OCR held steady at 2.25%, but the Reserve Bank says inflation will peak at 4.2% this quarter, the Co-operative Bank CEO, Mark Wilshire shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Trump changing tact on Iran, with negotiations set to commence on Friday in Pakistan and the Artemis crew heading back to Earth after reaching the far side of the Moon.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 09 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cef42d50-d7dc-4327-9bda-b426012b0ee7/transcript

Should we welcome a ceasefire? Yes, of course.

Should we count on it holding? No, of course not.

The Iranians now control a strait they didn’t control before the war and the Israelis are still dropping bombs in Lebanon even though this ceasefire apparently says they shouldn’t be.

In fact, both sides now seem to be claiming they're talking about completely different 10-point plans.

These are the things you can’t control.

But on the things we can, does anybody else feel a bit relieved about the grown ups we have in charge at home?

Nicola Willis has risen to the occasion. Clear, concise, across the detail and realistic about what government can and can’t do to fix everybody’s problems.

You’ll remember when this all kicked off I said they had few political choices given how hard they fought Labour’s Covid spending and its effect on inflation.

The targeted, temporary, timely motto seems to have, for now, been the right one.

Cometh the hour, cometh the woman. If there was to be a leadership spill in National, her performance in this crisis has out her top of the list of contenders. 

And Winston Peters, for all the cries and pleas for him to thump Trump, to criticise and protest, to play the role of the ICC, he’s held his nerve and kept his thoughts to himself.

Some argue that shows weakness. 

But most kiwis know what he’s doing is protecting us from the wrath of a very sensitive and vindictive President.

This situation is far from done and dusted, but it’s shown us we have competent political and diplomatic leaders who are realistic about they can’t and can’t control.

Should we welcome a ceasefire? Yes, of course.
Should we count on it holding? No, of course not.
The Iranians now control a strait they didn’t control before the war and the Israelis are still dropping bombs in Lebanon even though this ceasefire apparently says they shouldn’t be.
In fact, both sides now seem to be claiming they're talking about completely different 10-point plans.
These are the things you can’t control.
But on the things we can, does anybody else feel a bit relieved about the grown ups we have in charge at home?
Nicola Willis has risen to the occasion. Clear, concise, across the detail and realistic about what government can and can’t do to fix everybody’s problems.
You’ll remember when this all kicked off I said they had few political choices given how hard they fought Labour’s Covid spending and its effect on inflation.
The targeted, temporary, timely motto seems to have, for now, been the right one.
Cometh the hour, cometh the woman. If there was to be a leadership spill in National, her performance in this crisis has out her top of the list of contenders.&nbsp;
And Winston Peters, for all the cries and pleas for him to thump Trump, to criticise and protest, to play the role of the ICC, he’s held his nerve and kept his thoughts to himself.
Some argue that shows weakness.&nbsp;
But most kiwis know what he’s doing is protecting us from the wrath of a very sensitive and vindictive President.
This situation is far from done and dusted, but it’s shown us we have competent political and diplomatic leaders who are realistic about they can’t and can’t control.

Ryan Bridge: This ceasefire, can we celebrate yet?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d6379c48-3517-46f1-ad39-b4260128e7ae/transcript

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist ahead of first OCR announcement since Iran war began

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