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Improving implementation of inflation targeting in New Zealand: an investigation of the Reserve Bank's inflation errors

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Abstract

I investigate New Zealand's rate of inflation and its deviations from target using two new methods: 1) Rowe's (2002) new way of examining the correlations between inflation deviations from target and indicators. Any significant correlations, whether in a simple or multivariate framework, are interpreted as evidence against optimal policy setting. 2) Cukierman and Gerlach (2003) and Ruge-Murcia's (2001) new inflation bias hypothesis. As a counterpoint to Kydland and Prescott's (1977) and Barro and Gordon's (1983) time inconsistency explanation of inflation bias, Ruge-Murcia, Cukierman and Gerlach take the different view that even if central banks target the natural rate of unemployment or the potential level of output, some inflation bias might still exist if their loss function is asymmetric. I examine the inflation errors from 1982 to 2003 to investigate how information contained in these might be used to improve future inflation targeting in New Zealand.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Liu, 2004. "Improving implementation of inflation targeting in New Zealand: an investigation of the Reserve Bank's inflation errors," Reserve Bank of New Zealand Discussion Paper Series DP 2004/06, Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
    • Handle: RePEc:nzb:nzbdps:2004/06
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sharon McCaw & Satish Ranchhod, 2002. "The Reserve Bank's forecasting performance," Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, vol. 65, December.
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    3. Özer Karagedikli & Kirdan Lees, 2004. "Do inflation targeting central banks behave asymmetrically? Evidence from Australia and New Zealand," Reserve Bank of New Zealand Discussion Paper Series DP 2004/02, Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
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    7. Barro, Robert J & Gordon, David B, 1983. "A Positive Theory of Monetary Policy in a Natural Rate Model," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 91(4), pages 589-610, August.
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    10. Kydland, Finn E & Prescott, Edward C, 1977. "Rules Rather Than Discretion: The Inconsistency of Optimal Plans," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 85(3), pages 473-491, June.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • C82 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Macroeconomic Data; Data Access

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