Kiwibank says it's on with a 2.4% GDP increase for 2026.

But the bank has joined the chorus blaming the Reserve Bank for messing up the communications leading to increased fixed-term rates at the major retail banks.

Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the economy is slowly stabilising, and because of that interest rates don't need to be as low. 

"When you turn the corner, interest rates don't need to be as low."

LISTEN ABOVE