New Zealand has made history by appointing Anna Breman as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), marking the first time a woman will lead the country’s central bank. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the appointment on Wednesday, highlighting Breman’s exceptional qualifications and leadership experience.
Breman, who is currently the First Deputy Governor at Sweden’s central bank, the Riksbank, will officially assume her role at the RBNZ on December 1. She was selected following an extensive global search in which over 300 potential candidates were considered. The RBNZ Board nominated her for the position, impressed by her technical expertise and broad experience in central banking.
According to Willis, Breman brings a strong combination of technical skills, strategic insight, and organizational leadership. Rodger Finlay, Deputy Chair of the RBNZ Board, welcomed the appointment, noting her depth of experience across monetary policy, financial stability, and payments systems. He also emphasized her academic background and years of service at the Riksbank’s Executive Board, which have provided her with significant international exposure.
Breman’s appointment is notable not only because she is the first woman to lead the RBNZ but also because she is the first foreign national in nearly four decades to hold the role. While rare, such appointments are not unprecedented—Canada’s Mark Carney served as Governor of the Bank of England in 2012, setting an example of international leadership in central banking.
New Zealand, known for its progressive milestones such as being the first self-governing nation to grant women the right to vote 135 years ago, has never before appointed a female governor to its central bank despite having three female prime ministers. Breman will succeed Christian Hawkesby, who has served as acting governor since April following Adrian Orr’s unexpected resignation.
Her leadership marks a significant step forward for both gender equality and international collaboration in the global financial sector.


Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination
Federal Reserve Faces Subpoena Delay Amid Investigation Into Chair Jerome Powell
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 



