New Zealand stocks fell 84 points, or 0.6%, to close at 13,846 on Thursday, reversing the previous session’s gains after trading almost flat near 13,789 ahead of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s decision. The RBNZ raised interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, as expected after its May increase, and reiterated its determination to return inflation to its 1% to 3% target range. Technology, consumer discretionary and industrial shares led Thursday’s decline, while gains in heavyweight technology stocks on Wall Street limited losses. Investors also assessed weaker terms of trade, easing consumer confidence in August, higher oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions. Building permits fell 4.3% month-on-month in July after declining 3.7% in June. Gentrack Group fell 3.7%, Fletcher Building declined 2.3%, A2 Milk dropped 2.1%, Chorus lost 1.9%, Briscoe Group slipped 1.8%, Mainfreight decreased 1.5% and Freightways Group fell 1.1%. Investors continued evaluating the government’s decision to delay fuel excise increases scheduled from January 1, 2027, ahead of the general election planned for November 2026.