Hayley Gourley, ex-Rabobank general manager and current Seeka director, joining Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says Hayley Gourley, former general manager at Rabobank New Zealand, will replace Bob Buckle as an external member on the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) when he leaves at the end of September.

Gourley’s appointment follows the recommendation of the Reserve Bank’s Board. The MPC is the decision-making body responsible for setting the Official Cash Rate.

A long stint at Rabobank culminated in the role of general manager between 2015 and 2019, overseeing Rabobank's rural and agribusiness finance activities in NZ. Gourley was subsequently agri divisional manager at Skellerup Industries. She has also been a non-executive director at Landcorp Farming, is a director of Seeka, and is a director of private investment company Karalla Investments, which focuses on agricultural and agri-tech investment opportunities.

“Hayley Gourley brings extensive experience across corporate, rural, and financial services sectors to the role. Her roles at both board and executive level in leading agribusinesses provide her with a unique perspective that will enhance the Committee’s discussions," Willis says.

Gourley's four-year term starts on October 1.

Buckle is Emeritus Professor at Victoria University. He's the the last remaining inaugural external member of the MPC having started in the role in 2019, when the MPC was first formed.

Reserve Bank Board Deputy Chairman Rodger Finlay says Gourley is; "a highly qualified candidate with the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience from an extensive career in corporate, rural and financial services sectors to join the MPC and assist in its decision-making."

"Her business experience at both board and executive management positions in some of New Zealand’s leading agribusinesses will add a fresh perspective to Committee discussions," says Finlay.