Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman. Photo: RNZThe Reserve Bank governor has warned businesses against trying to pass higher prices on to households. Anna Breman said inflation expectations had been rising among economic forecasters and businesses - something she was not happy about. Breman said households were still struggling with cost-of-living pressures and a weak jobs market, and higher prices would weigh on consumer spending. Meanwhile, she warned that volatility - from geopolitical tensions to developments in artificial intelligence - could still throw up surpises for inflation.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 20, 2026 23:37 UTC