Moody's rate New Zealand at Aaa with a stable outlook

What Moody's really need, of course, is a 'Rock Star Economy' rating.

  • Government forecasts average annual GDP growth of 3.5% over 2017 and 2018, is slightly higher than Moody's forecast and points to some downside risk to the revenue projections
  • New Zealand will remain among the fastest growing economies in Moody's Aaa-rated universe
  • Says the half-year economic and fiscal update (HYEFU) for 2016-2017 demonstrates strong public finances, providing the government with significant financial flexibility to face negative shocks such as the Kaikoura earthquake
  • Moody's expects policies and reforms that foster economic growth and maintain sound public finances to remain a key focus under a new leadership

From Moody's latest: "Government of New Zealand: Strong Public Finances, Robust Economic Growth Bolster Sovereign Credit Profile"