Thorburn also calls for compulsory KiwiSaver and higher contributions.

"Results over the last four months provide a regular pattern of growth."

BNZ boss: “When you look at the quality of our housing book, it’s a high asset quality – it’s very strong.”

The currency climbs back to the levels of yesterday, before the RBNZ disclosed it had intervened in the foreign exchange market.

The banking group's interest income rises 4.1% to $778m.