Quote from bali_survivor:
remember 5 years ago nzd at 40 c US
an influx of the america's cup and money flowed to the country. Sept 11 , Bali bombings happened and tourists came to NZ for a holiday. Students from Asia came to NZ.
Nice surplus in the balance of trade in those days.
This month's balance of trade was the worst in 30 years.
Students from Asia are staying away in droves, the last year alone it has dropped by 30%
No america's cup
Exports drying up because the NZD has become too high.
Free trade agreement with China - the Chinese can send any of their stuff here, many people buy overseas stuff coz "it is so cheap". (eg electric tools for 12 - 14 NZD while an icecream costs 2.50. Something seriously wrong here)
Lots of companies are going under because they cannot compete with 40 USD / month labour from China.
The economy is in bad shape, look out we may see in a few years 40 c US for 1 NZD again, potentially even lower.
Hope this helps
Maria