New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday that a new Reserve Bank governor is expected to be appointed within weeks, with the selection process “well advanced.” Speaking to a local media, Luxon confirmed “a couple of candidates” are under consideration to replace Adrian Orr, who resigned in March, three years before his term ended. Interim governor Christian Hawkesby, Orr’s deputy, has applied for the permanent role, with his temporary tenure ending on October 7. The RBNZ board oversees the selection and advises Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The process has been clouded by the recent resignation of board chair Neil Quigley, criticized for lacking transparency around Orr’s exit. Initial reports cited personal reasons, but later revealed a dispute over a funding agreement. Willis said she would have dismissed Quigley had he not stepped down. Luxon supported the resignation, saying it helped avoid further reputational damage to the central bank.