Adrian Orr

Adrian Orr is a New Zealand economist and former governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He resigned in March 2025, three years before his contract was due to terminate.

Early life Orr has Cook Island heritage through his grandfather No'oroa George, who moved to New Zealand in the 1930s. His father was of Irish descent and died when Orr was 13.

Orr was born and raised in Taupō. At the time his father died, he had almost finished building a motel in Taupō. The family received help from his father's workmates to complete the building. The family then ran the motel during Orr's secondary schooling.

He has worked as an economist at the OECD and the New Zealand Treasury, and was Chief Economist for the New Zealand National Bank and Westpac Bank (2000–2003). Orr said he enjoyed the job's "beautiful mix [of] big, long-term, intergenerational challenges — and its hard-edge economics and finance." Prime Minister Bill English and the State Services Commission objected to the increase, and English said the NZ Super Fund Board members who had approved the increase could lose their positions as a result.

Robertson noted at the time of his appointment that the Sixth Labour Government was reviewing the Reserve Bank Act, and Orr would be well placed to steer the Bank through the review.

On 8 November 2022, the Government extended Orr's position as Reserve Bank Governor for another five years at the recommendation of the Reserve Bank Board. While Robertson supported Orr's reappointment on the grounds of continuity and stability, the opposition National Party finance spokesperson Nicola Willis called for an independent review of the Reserve Bank's performance. National Party leader Christopher Luxon also questioned the Government's decision to extend Orr's term for another five years prior to the 2023 New Zealand general election. ACT Party leader David Seymour opposed Orr's reappointment on the grounds of what he described as his "poor leadership, poor focus and poor outcomes".

On 5 March 2025, Orr abruptly resigned as Reserve Bank Governor. According to Finance Minister Willis, discussions between Orr and the Reserve Bank Board had occurred prior to Orr's resignation. Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby was appointed as acting Governor until 31 March, when Willis will appoint a temporary governor for six months as the Reserve Bank seeks a permanent successor. Seymour expressed hope that Orr's successor would address the country's cost of living crisis while Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins thanked Orr for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. The following day, Willis criticised the Reserve Bank for not disclosing this information earlier but waiting until the media had submitted an Official Information Act request.

On 10 September 2025, texts released under OIA revealed that Willis was warned she might be asked by the Reserve Bank's board to sack Adrian Orr as Reserve Bank Governor.

Personal life Orr is married to novelist Sue Orr and has three children.