Opposition parties today blamed government policies for the rapid rise in the value of the dollar.
At 9am today the dollar was at US48.95c, after yesterday's close at US49.08c, the highest rate in 25 months.
National's finance spokesman David Carter said the surge in support revealed that it had done nothing tosupport business or improve the prospects of higher sustainable growth.
Mr Carter said that throughout the Government's term, Finance Minister Michael Cullen had been able to rely on a low exchange rate to boost the economy.
"The Government has got away with having no serious plan for long-term growth," he said.
"Exporters can be justifiably asking Dr Cullen what he's done for competitiveness and the only realistic answer he can give is 'nothing'."
ACT's rural affairs spokesman, Owen Jennings, said exporters, particularly farmers, were angry that government mismanagement of the economy was contributing to the dollar's dramatic rise.
"The inflow of short-term capital responsible for the currency's revaluation is attracted by the rising interest rates, a legacy of Dr Cullen's budget and increased government borrowing," he said.
