Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr stated that New Zealand's relatively strict border rules were a handbrake on his ability to rein in inflation.

Adrian Orr said that the border restrictions and subsequent immigration reset forced him to raise the mortgage rates higher than he otherwise would have gone for.

Immigration Minister Michael Wood says that the immigration reset represents practical steps towards getting the economy out of a tough spot, and that they've issued thousands of work visas to fill the gaps.

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