"As we said on the day we launched NZ Power, we have no plans to intervene in any other markets."

The Mighty River Power estimate is based on the Greens/Labour parties' own statements about the complex process.

The latest payment, due on March 15, means 25 cents in the dollar has been repaid to investors.

Yanking the levers of the banking system to choke off a credit cycle boom requires care, Reserve Bank says.

The kiwi gained in local trading on optimism US politicians will be able to set aside partisan differences and cut a deal on the $US600 billion in Federal tax increases and spending reductions with a vote set for Sunday.