Finance

Anna Breman Named First Female RBNZ Governor

Published SEP 24 2025

Story

Above: Anna Breman, the deputy governor of Riksbank, spoke at the 2023 European Central Bank Conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on Oct. 5, 2023. Image credit: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced Wednesday that Anna Breman, currently First Deputy Governor of Sweden's central bank Riksbank, will become the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) new governor on Dec. 1.
Reuters
Stuff
Breman, 49, will be the first woman to serve as RBNZ governor and the first foreign national appointed to the role in its modern history, following a global search that identified 300 potential candidates.
Reuters
Bloomberg.com
The appointment follows a period of leadership turmoil at the RBNZ, including the surprise resignation of former governor Adrian Orr in March over a funding dispute and board chairman Neil Quigley's resignation in August.
Reuters
1 News
Breman holds a PhD in Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics and has served as deputy governor at Sweden's Riksbank since 2019, with previous experience at Swedbank, the Swedish Ministry of Finance and the World Bank.
Stuff
Scoop News
Acting Governor Christian Hawkesby, who stepped into the role in April following Orr's departure, will leave the bank when Breman begins her five-year term and will conduct policy meetings in October and November before her arrival.
Reuters
Financial Times
Breman emphasized her commitment to maintaining the RBNZ's primary mandate of price stability while avoiding excessive economic harm, as New Zealand faces economic challenges, including a 0.9% gross domestic product (GDP) contraction in the June quarter.
Stuff
Sweden Herald

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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CRIT

CENTER

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This appointment represents exactly what the Reserve Bank needed after years of mismanagement under Adrian Orr's leadership. Orr's maverick approach consistently left markets guessing and kept the bank behind the economic curve when decisive action was required. The fresh international perspective and proven technical expertise Breman brings will restore credibility to an institution that desperately needs proactive leadership rather than reactive policies.

Reuters

Capital Issues

Narrative B

The decision to bypass qualified local candidates for a foreign appointee raises serious questions about New Zealand's domestic talent pool and institutional knowledge. While Breman may have impressive credentials, she lacks an understanding of New Zealand's unique economic conditions and cultural context that only comes from years of local experience. The timing couldn't be worse, with the economy already struggling and needing leadership that truly understands the domestic landscape.