Determinants of New Zealand bond yields

This paper examines the driving factors of New Zealand bond yields over the 1988-1997 period. The results indicate that: . the general analytical framework implied by the Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) relation finds some support in the data. . in the long run, short term real bond yields are related to US real bond yields, currency expectations and expectations of the future stance of domestic monetary policy vis a vis the stance offshore. . long-term real bond yields are related to Australian real bond yields, currency expectations, inflation uncertainty and relative monetary policy expectations. . in recent years, domestic bond yields have been more closely related to offshore yields suggesting increased integration between the domestic and international capital markets. . increased perceptions of political risk appears to have played an important role in the rise in domestic long bond yields during the first half of 1996.