Several prominent New Zealand banks have cut their home loan rates in anticipation of a January 29 Official Cash Rate (OCR) cut.

ANZ National Bank, BNZ and Kiwibank have all cut their home loan rates on the 14th and 15th of January, other banks are expected to follow. It is expected by many that the New Zealand reserve bank will cut the OCR by another percentage point in its next meeting. The current rate is 5%. Westpac bank went so far this week as to predict further post January cuts which will see the rate drop to 2.5% in 2009.

The new speculation of cuts is based on economist’s analysis of the New Zealand economy. Even with upcoming tax cuts, newly installed tax credits and the upcoming “Summit on Employment” aimed at stimulating the economy, many predict stark times ahead.