The Data: Coverage, Periodicity, and Timeliness

Coverage characteristics

Data are published as end of month figures in millions of New Zealand dollars.

The following data is collected and is detailed further in the Series description:

• Total foreign assets
• Total foreign currency liabilities
• Outstanding foreign currency swap and forward commitments
• Other foreign currency commitments
• Net open foreign currency position
• Net NZD purchased (sold) during the month

Data on liabilities and assets denominated in foreign currency are also included in tables F1 and F2.

The series start from July 2004.

Periodicity

Monthly

Timeliness

Data is released on the last week of the month after the end of the reference month. An exception to this is information as at the end of the financial year (June) which is published in the first week of August. Refer to the “Advance Release Calendar” for the actual dates of publication.

Access by the public

Advance release calendar

The “Advance Release Calendar” is updated and released each Friday on the website. This is a long-term plan of scheduled releases.

Integrity

Dissemination of terms and conditions under which official statistics are produced, including confidentiality of individual responses

The information is disseminated by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as a service to the public.

Provision of information about revisions and advance notice of major changes in methodology

Provisional data are italicised. Data are deemed provisional when a series is under review. New data, or revised data, are in bold font. Revisions are generally published when the table is next due to be updated and released. Should revisions need to be made more promptly, a note is posted on the website under “Revisions to Tables”.

Any major changes in methodology will be posted here on this website.

Quality

Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics

Series data are prepared in accordance with New Zealand generally accepted accounting practice. Specific accounting policies are disclosed in the Reserve Bank’s Annual Report.

Dissemination of statistics that support statistical cross-check and provide assurance of reasonableness

The full Reserve Bank Annual Report (subject to audit).

Data are consistent with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand liabilities and asset tables (F1 and F2.)