Russell
Palmer, Political Reporter
Foreign
Minister Winston Peters has urged the Reserve Bank governor
to stay in her lane when it comes to United States domestic
politics.
Anna Breman signed
a letter of support for Jerome Powell overnight, after
the Federal Reserve chair said subpoenas against him are
retaliation for serving the American public rather than the
preferences of the president.
In a post on social
media, Peters said the Reserve Bank had no role in US
politics and should not involve itself.
“The Reserve
Bank of New Zealand is statutorily independent of Central
Government on matters of monetary policy. However, the RBNZ
has no role, nor should it involve itself, in US domestic
politics.
“We remind the Governor to stay in her New
Zealand lane and stick to domestic monetary policy. That
would have been the advice of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade if the Governor had sought its advice,
which she did not.”
The Reserve Bank in a statement to
RNZ earlier said Breman had signed the statement because she
and the RBNZ believed strongly in the independence of
central banks.
“Dr Breman’s signature on the statement
indicates the support of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand,
which is statutorily independent from the New Zealand
Government.”
Peters declined an interview request from
RNZ.
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