The New Zealand dollar is higher against the currencies of the country's major trading partners, particularly against the Australian dollar.
Westpac currency strategist Imre Speizer said comments by the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA)governor that the Australian dollar was over-valued caused the New Zealand dollar to rally against its Australian counterpart.
"There has been little change in the Kiwi against the American. It has hovered around 87.60 to 87.70 for most of the day.
"The RBA's impact was mainly on the Kiwi dollar versus the Aussie dollar.
"The surprise to the market was the RBA's stronger language around its own, elevated currency."
The monthly US payroll report is due out on Thursday night. A strong payrolls number would push the kiwi down against the greenback.
Just after 5pm, the New Zealand dollar was buying: 87.65 US cents, 93.43 Australian cents, 51.08 pence, 0.642 euro, 89.28 yen and 5.45 renminbi.
Shares up
New Zealand shares rose on Thursday, the NZX Top 50 Index gaining 18 points to 5167.
Hamilton Hinden Green director Grant Williamson said New Zealand shares followed overseas stocks higher.
"We've seen a bit of strength in the offshore markets and the New Zealand market has followed suit after a period of a little bit of weakness in the market in recent days, so nice to see a turnaround," Mr Williamson said.
"We're starting to see bargain hunters coming back into this market, trying to pick up some of those stocks that have shown a fair amount of weakness."
Diligent shares rose 12 cents to $4.12, while TradeMe shares gained 6 cents to $3.57.
However, Goodman Fielder shares fell 3.5 cents to 67 cents.
