The New Zealand dollar rose to around $0.601, rebounding after a two-day decline, as markets increasingly bet that the RBNZ will begin lifting rates later this year. Attention has now turned to labor market data due this week, with the Q4 unemployment rate expected to hold at 5.3%, its highest level since 2016, while employment is forecast to grow by 0.3%. While the data may justify delaying policy tightening until the second half of the year, above-target inflation and firming economic growth leave little doubt that the next policy move will be a rate hike. Policymakers meet on February 18, marking the first decision under new Governor Anna Breman, who is expected to outline her policy vision. Meanwhile, gains were capped by renewed strength in the US dollar after President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, a move markets view as hawkish and less supportive of aggressive rate cuts.