The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) has filled the last major gap in its senior ranks with the appointment of a new chief economist.
Reserve Bank chief economist Paul Conway. Photo: Supplied
Paul Conway, currently chief economist at BNZ, will replace Yuong Ha, who resigned after 25 years with the central bank.
RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr said Conway knew the New Zealand economy well and had international experience with time as an economist with the OECD.
Yuong Ha resigned after 25 years with the central bank. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
"He has a great mix of skills, including a background in research, which will be a key part of his leadership role at the Reserve Bank."
Conway has also worked as economics and research director at the Productivity Commission, as well as a private consultant, and at Westpac.
"Crazy moment to be taking on that role and I feel a ton of responsibility in helping steer our economy through what's coming," Conway said in a post on his LinkedIn page.
Conway will be one of four RBNZ officials on the interest rate setting monetary policy committee.
He will join in May, at a time when inflation is tipped to rise beyond 7 percent forcing aggressive interest rate rises to bring it back into the RBNZ's 1-3 percent target band.
The RBNZ has had to refresh its senior executive team after resignations, retirements, and restructuring over the past year, which some observers have put down in part to the leadership style of Orr.