The impact of Brexit on the New Zealand economy should be limited when you consider the following statistics:
- 3.5% of total exports from NZ go to the UK – mainly sheep and wine.
- 2.7% of total imports from the UK to NZ – mainly transport goods
- 6.7% of all short-term visitor arrivals come from the UK
When the UK joined the EEC (as it was then know as) in 1973 there was a major shift away from trade with the Commonwealth. However New Zealand has been able to move away from the traditional dependency of the Commonwealth to become increasingly integrated to the Asia Pacific region.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The RBNZ is a good position even with a record low OCR of 2.25% which paradoxically is among the highest in the developed world. By not being aggressive with OCR cuts the RBNZ has the ammunition to stimulate aggregate demand further which is in contrast to the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan who are in negative territory. With the turmoil in Europe over Brexit the US Fed will most likely hold off on a rate hike to ease the pressure on markets – it may even cut the US Fed rate.
Gold and Sterling – US$ rate
The graph below shows the reaction to the Brexit – GBP drops significantly against the US$ and gold, as a safe investment, appreciates in value. The uncertainty that surrounds Brexit saw more investors buy gold, which rose to about $1,315 an ounce on June 24th, up by 4.7% on the previous day. This was the largest increase since the global financial crisis in 2008. The rise was in stark contrast to the plunging pound, which tumbled to its lowest level in 30 years.
Below is video from the FT looking at Five Consequences of the UK’s exit form the EU.
ECONFIX 