新西兰英语 292 Official Cash Rate Rise

　　The governor of the Reserve Bank, Alan Bollard, increased the official cash rate (OCR) from 2.5% to 2.75%. This is the first rise in three years. During the economic recession, Bollard reduced the OCR from 8.25% in July 2007 to 2.5% in April this year. Now Bollard thinks the economy has improved enough to increase the OCR.
Major banks immediately put up their floating mortgage rate. A floating mortgage changes with the OCR or inflation but a fixed¹ rate stays the same until your mortgage contract finishes which can be five years. Home owners with a floating mortgage will have to pay more now but it is still less than the fixed rate.
Bollard said many things will affect the economy in the near future such as GST, the Emissions² Trading Scheme, tax reductions and the economic problems in Europe so there may be more changes to the OCR in the next few months.
Listen to Sept 11th 2008, October 22nd 2008, December 4th 2008, and April 30th 2009 for more information about the OCR.
Questions
Can you think of a reason for the fixed mortgage rate being higher than the floating mortgage rate?
Look at the OCR in July 2007 and compare that with today’s rate. What were some of the higher costs for consumers three years ago?
How does a higher OCR control inflation?
What evidence have you seen that New Zealand is coming out of a recession?

1 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

2 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。