The Minister of Finance announced Dr Anna Breman as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for a five-year term from 1 December 2025.
RBNZ Governor Christian Hawkesby will remain in the Governor role until then.
RBNZ Board Deputy Chair Rodger Finlay says Dr Breman's appointment follows a robust recruitment process in which 300 individuals were identified, contacted or interviewed.
"The Board was pleased with the quality candidates who were attracted to the role, indicating the RBNZ's strong reputation domestically and internationally."
Mr Finlay says the Board was thrilled to have nominated Dr Breman, who possesses leadership skills across the broad spectrum of central bank activities: "Anna's experience spans central banking, academia and financial markets. She has strong technical knowledge within monetary policy, financial stability and payments systems after several years at the Executive Board at the Riksbank and an extensive international experience."
Christian Hawkesby's term as Governor will be extended until November 30, and he will support a smooth transition to Dr Breman when she takes the role of Governor from December 1. He will then depart from RBNZ.
"The Board is grateful for Christian's ongoing leadership and commitment to RBNZ. We are very fortunate to have had him step into the role of Governor during a transformative time for RBNZ. We respect his decision to resign from RBNZ when the new Governor is in post and thank him for his continued commitment to RBNZ's people and its important work."
Mr Hawkesby says it is important to provide space for the new Governor to succeed, and his key priority will be a smooth handover to new Governor.
"I am fully committed to supporting Anna and leading the RBNZ through this remaining period - including completing our organisational changes, concluding the Capital Review of the deposit taking sector, chairing the MPC, delivering the Financial Stability Report, leading our remaining parliamentary hearings, and supporting the morale of our staff through a period of significant change."
Mr Hawkesby thanked the Board for its support over the past six and half years at the RBNZ, first as Assistant Governor, then as Deputy Governor, and most recently as Governor under section 96 of the RBNZ Act.
More information
- Anna Breman bio
- Christian Hawkesby bio
- Recruitment process for new Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
- Christian Hawkesby resignation letter (PDF, 128KB)
