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Monetary policy review

OCR on hold, but set to lift slightly quicker

18 Feb 2026
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Brad Olsen

Our take on the latest Monetary policy review (Wed 18 Feb 2026)

Official cash rate (OCR)
First OCR rise now expected
Financial markets picking
2.25%
Dec-26 qtr
Sep or Oct
Unchanged
A quarter earlier than last MPS
For the first increase

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