The Australian dollar was down 0.44% at $0.7227, having touched a 3-1/2-week low at $0.7220, continuing its downward trend from a September peak of $0.7477
The kiwi dollar was also steadier at $0.7088, having found support at $0.7076. That was some way from the recent three-month top of $0.7170 but well above the August trough at $0.6810
Bonds were mixed, sending New Zealand yields at the short end of the curve one basis point lower but pushing those at the long end of the curve one basis point higher
In Australia, the economy has been undermined by the spread of the Delta variant, which triggered a lockdown in the capital of Canberra on Thursday, the first in more than a year
New Zealand bonds moved sharply higher, pushing short term yields 6 to 7 basis points lower, while yields in the longer-end of the curve fell eight basis points