The Australian dollar held within striking distance of a 29-year peak against a broadly softer greenback on Friday, underpinned by improving risk appetite and upbeat news on Australia's mining sector, while the New Zealand dollar hovered at three-week highs.
The Aussie last traded at $1.0205, having risen as high as $1.0229, nearing the December 31 peak around $1.0257 - a level not seen since 1982. It has gained 2.5 percent over the week. Support is pegged at $1.0162 with resistance at $1.0248. The Aussie was little changed against the New Zealand dollar at NZ$1.3601, having bounced off a one-week low around NZ$1.3550 plumbed on Thursday. The kiwi was steady around $0.7500, after earlier climbing as high as $0.7520 as risk buying returned to favour.