NZ IAS 21

The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

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New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (NZ IAS 21)

Issued November 2004 and incorporates amendments to 28 February 2018

This Standard was issued by the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board of the External Reporting Board pursuant to section 24(1)(a) of the Financial Reporting Act 1993.

This Standard is a Regulation for the purposes of the Regulations (Disallowance) Act 1989.

NZ IAS 21 incorporates the equivalent IFRS® Standard as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Tier 1 for-profit entities that comply with NZ IAS 21 will simultaneously be in compliance with IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates.

NZ IAS 21 includes RDR disclosure concessions and associated RDR paragraphs for entities that qualify for and elect to apply Tier 2 for-profit accounting requirements in accordance with XRB A1 Application of the Accounting Standards Framework. Entities that elect to report in accordance with Tier 2 accounting requirements are not required to comply with paragraphs in this Standard denoted with an asterisk (*). However, an entity is required to comply with any RDR paragraph associated with a disclosure concession that is adopted.

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How to read this Standard

New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (NZ IAS 21) is set out in paragraphs 1–62 and the Appendix. NZ IAS 21 is based on International Accounting Standard 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (IAS 21) (2003) initially issued by the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) and subsequently revised by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). All the paragraphs have equal authority but retain the IASC format of the Standard. NZ IAS 21 should be read in the context of its objective and the IASB’s Basis for Conclusions on IAS 21 and the New Zealand Equivalent to the IASB Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. NZ IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors provides a basis for selecting and applying accounting policies in the absence of explicit guidance.

Any New Zealand additional material is shown with either “NZ” or “RDR” preceding the paragraph number.

1 An entity may carry on foreign activities in two ways. It may have transactions in foreign currencies or it may have foreign operations. In addition, an entity may present its financial statements in a foreign currency. The objective of this Standard is to prescribe how to include foreign currency transactions and foreign operations in the financial statements of an entity and how to translate financial statements into a presentation currency.

2 The principal issues are which exchange rate(s) to use and how to report the effects of changes in exchange rates in the financial statements.

NZ2.1 This Standard applies to Tier 1 and Tier 2 for-profit entities.

NZ2.2 A Tier 2 entity is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements in this Standard denoted with an asterisk (*). Where an entity elects to apply a disclosure concession it shall comply with any RDR paragraphs associated with that concession.

3 This Standard shall be applied:1

  1. in accounting for transactions and balances in foreign currencies, except for those derivative transactions and balances that are within the scope of NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments;

  2. in translating the results and financial position of foreign operations that are included in the financial statements of the entity by consolidation or the equity method; and

  3. in translating an entity’s results and financial position into a presentation currency.

4 NZ IFRS 9 applies to many foreign currency derivatives and, accordingly, these are excluded from the scope of this Standard. However, those foreign currency derivatives that are not within the scope of NZ IFRS 9 (eg some foreign currency derivatives that are embedded in other contracts) are within the scope of this Standard. In addition, this Standard applies when an entity translates amounts relating to derivatives from its functional currency to its presentation currency.

5 This Standard does not apply to hedge accounting for foreign currency items, including the hedging of a net investment in a foreign operation. NZ IFRS 9 applies to hedge accounting.

6 This Standard applies to the presentation of an entity’s financial statements in a foreign currency and sets out requirements for the resulting financial statements to be described as complying with NZ IFRS and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). For translations of financial information into a foreign currency that do not meet these requirements, this Standard specifies information to be disclosed.

7 This Standard does not apply to the presentation in a statement of cash flows of cash flows arising from transactions in a foreign currency, or to the translation of cash flows of a foreign operation (see NZ IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows).

1 See also NZ SIC-7 Introduction of the Euro

8 The following terms are used in this Standard with the meanings specified:

Closing rate is the spot exchange rate at the end of the reporting period.

Exchange difference is the difference resulting from translating a given number of units of one currency into another currency at different exchange rates.

Exchange rate is the ratio of exchange for two currencies.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. (See NZ IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.)

Foreign currency is a currency other than the functional currency of the entity.

Foreign operation is an entity that is a subsidiary, associate, joint arrangement or branch of a reporting entity, the activities of which are based or conducted in a country or currency other than those of the reporting entity.

Functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates.

A group is a parent and all its subsidiaries.

Monetary items are units of currency held and assets and liabilities to be received or paid in a fixed or determinable number of units of currency.

Net investment in a foreign operation is the amount of the reporting entity’s interest in the net assets of that operation.

Presentation currency is the currency in which the financial statements are presented.

Spot exchange rate is the exchange rate for immediate delivery.

Elaboration on the definitions

Functional currency

9 The primary economic environment in which an entity operates is normally the one in which it primarily generates and expends cash. An entity considers the following factors in determining its functional currency:

  1. the currency:

    1. that mainly influences sales prices for goods and services (this will often be the currency in which sales prices for its goods and services are denominated and settled); and

    2. of the country whose competitive forces and regulations mainly determine the sales prices of its goods and services.

  2. the currency that mainly influences labour, material and other costs of providing goods or services (this will often be the currency in which such costs are denominated and settled).

10 The following factors may also provide evidence of an entity’s functional currency:

  1. the currency in which funds from financing activities (ie issuing debt and equity instruments) are generated.

  2. the currency in which receipts from operating activities are usually retained.

11 The following additional factors are considered in determining the functional currency of a foreign operation, and whether its functional currency is the same as that of the reporting entity (the reporting entity, in this context, being the entity that has the foreign operation as its subsidiary, branch, associate or joint arrangement):

  1. whether the activities of the foreign operation are carried out as an extension of the reporting entity, rather than being carried out with a significant degree of autonomy. An example of the former is when the foreign operation only sells goods imported from the reporting entity and remits the proceeds to it. An example of the latter is when the operation accumulates cash and other monetary items, incurs expenses, generates income and arranges borrowings, all substantially in its local currency.

  2. whether transactions with the reporting entity are a high or a low proportion of the foreign operation’s activities.

  3. whether cash flows from the activities of the foreign operation directly affect the cash flows of the reporting entity and are readily available for remittance to it.

  4. whether cash flows from the activities of the foreign operation are sufficient to service existing and normally expected debt obligations without funds being made available by the reporting entity.

12 When the above indicators are mixed and the functional currency is not obvious, management uses its judgement to determine the functional currency that most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying transactions, events and conditions. As part of this approach, management gives priority to the primary indicators in paragraph 9 before considering the indicators in paragraphs 10 and 11, which are designed to provide additional supporting evidence to determine an entity’s functional currency.

13 An entity’s functional currency reflects the underlying transactions, events and conditions that are relevant to it. Accordingly, once determined, the functional currency is not changed unless there is a change in those underlying transactions, events and conditions.

14 If the functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, the entity’s financial statements are restated in accordance with NZ IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies. An entity cannot avoid restatement in accordance with NZ IAS 29 by, for example, adopting as its functional currency a currency other than the functional currency determined in accordance with this Standard (such as the functional currency of its parent).

Net investment in a foreign operation

15 An entity may have a monetary item that is receivable from or payable to a foreign operation. An item for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future is, in substance, a part of the entity’s net investment in that foreign operation, and is accounted for in accordance with paragraphs 32 and 33. Such monetary items may include long-term receivables or loans. They do not include trade receivables or trade payables.

15A The entity that has a monetary item receivable from or payable to a foreign operation described in paragraph 15 may be any subsidiary of the group. For example, an entity has two subsidiaries, A and B. Subsidiary B is a foreign operation. Subsidiary A grants a loan to Subsidiary B. Subsidiary A’s loan receivable from Subsidiary B would be part of the entity’s net investment in Subsidiary B if settlement of the loan is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. This would also be true if Subsidiary A were itself a foreign operation.

Monetary items

16 The essential feature of a monetary item is a right to receive (or an obligation to deliver) a fixed or determinable number of units of currency. Examples include: pensions and other employee benefits to be paid in cash; provisions that are to be settled in cash; lease liabilities; and cash dividends that are recognised as a liability. Similarly, a contract to receive (or deliver) a variable number of the entity’s own equity instruments or a variable amount of assets in which the fair value to be received (or delivered) equals a fixed or determinable number of units of currency is a monetary item. Conversely, the essential feature of a non- monetary item is the absence of a right to receive (or an obligation to deliver) a fixed or determinable number of units of currency. Examples include: amounts prepaid for goods and services; goodwill; intangible assets; inventories; property, plant and equipment; right-of-use assets; and provisions that are to be settled by the delivery of a non-monetary asset.

17 In preparing financial statements, each entity—whether a stand-alone entity, an entity with foreign operations (such as a parent) or a foreign operation (such as a subsidiary or branch)—determines its functional currency in accordance with paragraphs 9–14. The entity translates foreign currency items into its functional currency and reports the effects of such translation in accordance with paragraphs 20–37 and 50

18 Many reporting entities comprise a number of individual entities (eg a group is made up of a parent and one or more subsidiaries). Various types of entities, whether members of a group or otherwise, may have investments in associates or joint arrangements. They may also have branches. It is necessary for the results and financial position of each individual entity included in the reporting entity to be translated into the currency in which the reporting entity presents its financial statements. This Standard permits the presentation currency of a reporting entity to be any currency (or currencies). The results and financial position of any individual entity within the reporting entity whose functional currency differs from the presentation currency are translated in accordance with paragraphs 3850.

19 This Standard also permits a stand-alone entity preparing financial statements or an entity preparing separate financial statements in accordance with NZ IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements to present its financial statements in any currency (or currencies). If the entity’s presentation currency differs from its functional currency, its results and financial position are also translated into the presentation currency in accordance with paragraphs 3850.

Initial recognition

20 A foreign currency transaction is a transaction that is denominated or requires settlement in a foreign currency, including transactions arising when an entity:

  1. buys or sells goods or services whose price is denominated in a foreign currency;

  2. borrows or lends funds when the amounts payable or receivable are denominated in a foreign currency; or

  3. otherwise acquires or disposes of assets, or incurs or settles liabilities, denominated in a foreign currency.

21 A foreign currency transaction shall be recorded, on initial recognition in the functional currency, by applying to the foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction.

22 The date of a transaction is the date on which the transaction first qualifies for recognition in accordance with NZ IFRS. For practical reasons, a rate that approximates the actual rate at the date of the transaction is often used, for example, an average rate for a week or a month might be used for all transactions in each foreign currency occurring during that period. However, if exchange rates fluctuate significantly, the use of the average rate for a period is inappropriate.

Reporting at the end of the subsequent reporting periods

23 At the end of each reporting period:

  1. foreign currency monetary items shall be translated using the closing rate;

  2. non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency shall be translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction; and

  3. non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency shall be translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was measured.

24 The carrying amount of an item is determined in conjunction with other relevant Standards. For example, property, plant and equipment may be measured in terms of fair value or historical cost in accordance with NZ IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment. Whether the carrying amount is determined on the basis of historical cost or on the basis of fair value, if the amount is determined in a foreign currency it is then translated into the functional currency in accordance with this Standard.

25 The carrying amount of some items is determined by comparing two or more amounts. For example, the carrying amount of inventories is the lower of cost and net realisable value in accordance with NZ IAS 2 Inventories. Similarly, in accordance with NZ IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the carrying amount of an asset for which there is an indication of impairment is the lower of its carrying amount before considering possible impairment losses and its recoverable amount. When such an asset is non-monetary and is measured in a foreign currency, the carrying amount is determined by comparing:

  1. the cost or carrying amount, as appropriate, translated at the exchange rate at the date when that amount was determined (ie the rate at the date of the transaction for an item measured in terms of historical cost); and

  2. the net realisable value or recoverable amount, as appropriate, translated at the exchange rate at the date when that value was determined (eg the closing rate at the end of the reporting period).

The effect of this comparison may be that an impairment loss is recognised in the functional currency but would not be recognised in the foreign currency, or vice versa.

26 When several exchange rates are available, the rate used is that at which the future cash flows represented by the transaction or balance could have been settled if those cash flows had occurred at the measurement date. If exchangeability between two currencies is temporarily lacking, the rate used is the first subsequent rate at which exchange could be made.

Recognition of exchange differences

27 As noted in paragraphs 3(a) and 5, NZ IFRS 9 applies to hedge accounting for foreign currency items. The application of hedge accounting requires an entity to account for some exchange differences differently from the treatment of exchange differences required by this Standard. For example, NZ IFRS 9 requires that exchange differences on monetary items that qualify as hedging instruments in a cash flow hedge are recognised initially in other comprehensive income to the extent that the hedge is effective.

28 Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements shall be recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise, except as described in paragraph 32.

29 When monetary items arise from a foreign currency transaction and there is a change in the exchange rate between the transaction date and the date of settlement, an exchange difference results. When the transaction is settled within the same accounting period as that in which it occurred, all the exchange difference is recognised in that period. However, when the transaction is settled in a subsequent accounting period, the exchange difference recognised in each period up to the date of settlement is determined by the change in exchange rates during each period.

30 When a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognised in other comprehensive income, any exchange component of that gain or loss shall be recognised in other comprehensive income. Conversely, when a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognised in profit or loss, any exchange component of that gain or loss shall be recognised in profit or loss.

31 Other Standards require some gains and losses to be recognised in other comprehensive income. For example, NZ IAS 16 requires some gains and losses arising on a revaluation of property, plant and equipment to be recognised in other comprehensive income. When such an asset is measured in a foreign currency, paragraph 23(c) of this Standard requires the revalued amount to be translated using the rate at the date the value is determined, resulting in an exchange difference that is also recognised in other comprehensive income.

32 Exchange differences arising on a monetary item that forms part of a reporting entity’s net investment in a foreign operation (see paragraph 15) shall be recognised in profit or loss in the separate financial statements of the reporting entity or the individual financial statements of the foreign operation, as appropriate. In the financial statements that include the foreign operation and the reporting entity (eg consolidated financial statements when the foreign operation is a subsidiary), such exchange differences shall be recognised initially in other comprehensive income and reclassified from equity to profit or loss on disposal of the net investment in accordance with paragraph 48.

33 When a monetary item forms part of a reporting entity’s net investment in a foreign operation and is denominated in the functional currency of the reporting entity, an exchange difference arises in the foreign operation’s individual financial statements in accordance with paragraph 28. If such an item is denominated in the functional currency of the foreign operation, an exchange difference arises in the reporting entity’s separate financial statements in accordance with paragraph 28. If such an item is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of either the reporting entity or the foreign operation, an exchange difference arises in the reporting entity’s separate financial statements and in the foreign operation’s individual financial statements in accordance with paragraph 28. Such exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income in the financial statements that include the foreign operation and the reporting entity (i.e. financial statements in which the foreign operation is consolidated or accounted for using the equity method).

34 When an entity keeps its books and records in a currency other than its functional currency, at the time the entity prepares its financial statements all amounts are translated into the functional currency in accordance with paragraphs 20–26. This produces the same amounts in the functional currency as would have occurred had the items been recorded initially in the functional currency. For example, monetary items are translated into the functional currency using the closing rate, and non-monetary items that are measured on a historical cost basis are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction that resulted in their recognition.

Change in functional currency

35 When there is a change in an entity’s functional currency, the entity shall apply the translation procedures applicable to the new functional currency prospectively from the date of the change.

36 As noted in paragraph 13, the functional currency of an entity reflects the underlying transactions, events and conditions that are relevant to the entity. Accordingly, once the functional currency is determined, it can be changed only if there is a change to those underlying transactions, events and conditions. For example, a change in the currency that mainly influences the sales prices of goods and services may lead to a change in an entity’s functional currency.

37 The effect of a change in functional currency is accounted for prospectively. In other words, an entity translates all items into the new functional currency using the exchange rate at the date of the change. The resulting translated amounts for non-monetary items are treated as their historical cost. Exchange differences arising from the translation of a foreign operation previously recognised in other comprehensive income in accordance with paragraphs 32 and 39(c) are not reclassified from equity to profit or loss until the disposal of the operation.

Translation to the presentation currency

38 An entity may present its financial statements in any currency (or currencies). If the presentation currency differs from the entity’s functional currency, it translates its results and financial position into the presentation currency. For example, when a group contains individual entities with different functional currencies, the results and financial position of each entity are expressed in a common currency so that consolidated financial statements may be presented.

39 The results and financial position of an entity whose functional currency is not the currency of a hyperinflationary economy shall be translated into a different presentation currency using the following procedures:

  1. assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented (ie including comparatives) shall be translated at the closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position;

  2. income and expenses for each statement presenting profit or loss and other comprehensive income (ie including comparatives) shall be translated at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions; and

  3. all resulting exchange differences shall be recognised in other comprehensive income.

40 For practical reasons, a rate that approximates the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions, for example an average rate for the period, is often used to translate income and expense items. However, if exchange rates fluctuate significantly, the use of the average rate for a period is inappropriate.

41 The exchange differences referred to in paragraph 39(c) result from:

  1. translating income and expenses at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions and assets and liabilities at the closing rate.

  2. translating the opening net assets at a closing rate that differs from the previous closing rate.

These exchange differences are not recognised in profit or loss because the changes in exchange rates have little or no direct effect on the present and future cash flows from operations. The cumulative amount of the exchange differences is presented in a separate component of equity until disposal of the foreign operation. When the exchange differences relate to a foreign operation that is consolidated but not wholly-owned, accumulated exchange differences arising from translation and attributable to non-controlling interests are allocated to, and recognised as part of, non-controlling interests in the consolidated statement of financial position.

42 The results and financial position of an entity whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy shall be translated into a different presentation currency using the following procedures:

  1. all amounts (ie assets, liabilities, equity items, income and expenses, including comparatives) shall be translated at the closing rate at the date of the most recent statement of financial position, except that

  2. when amounts are translated into the currency of a non-hyperinflationary economy, comparative amounts shall be those that were presented as current year amounts in the relevant prior year financial statements (ie not adjusted for subsequent changes in the price level or subsequent changes in exchange rates).

43 When an entity’s functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, the entity shall restate its financial statements in accordance with NZ IAS 29 before applying the translation method set out in paragraph 42, except for comparative amounts that are translated into a currency of a non- hyperinflationary economy (see paragraph 42(b)). When the economy ceases to be hyperinflationary and the entity no longer restates its financial statements in accordance with NZ IAS 29, it shall use as the historical costs for translation into the presentation currency the amounts restated to the price level at the date the entity ceased restating its financial statements.

Translation of a foreign operation

44 Paragraphs 45–47, in addition to paragraphs 38–43, apply when the results and financial position of a foreign operation are translated into a presentation currency so that the foreign operation can be included in the financial statements of the reporting entity by consolidation or the equity method.

45 The incorporation of the results and financial position of a foreign operation with those of the reporting entity follows normal consolidation procedures, such as the elimination of intragroup balances and intragroup transactions of a subsidiary (see NZ IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements). However, an intragroup monetary asset (or liability), whether short-term or long-term, cannot be eliminated against the corresponding intragroup liability (or asset) without showing the results of currency fluctuations in the consolidated financial statements. This is because the monetary item represents a commitment to convert one currency into another and exposes the reporting entity to a gain or loss through currency fluctuations. Accordingly, in the consolidated financial statements of the reporting entity, such an exchange difference is recognised in profit or loss or, if it arises from the circumstances described in paragraph 32, it is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate component of equity until the disposal of the foreign operation.

46 When the financial statements of a foreign operation are as of a date different from that of the reporting entity, the foreign operation often prepares additional statements as of the same date as the reporting entity’s financial statements. When this is not done, NZ IFRS 10 allows the use of a different date provided that the difference is no greater than three months and adjustments are made for the effects of any significant transactions or other events that occur between the different dates. In such a case, the assets and liabilities of the foreign operation are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the reporting period of the foreign operation. Adjustments are made for significant changes in exchange rates up to the end of the reporting period of the reporting entity in accordance with NZ IFRS 10. The same approach is used in applying the equity method to associates and joint ventures in accordance with NZ IAS 28 (as amended in 2011).

47 Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising on the acquisition of that foreign operation shall be treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation. Thus they shall be expressed in the functional currency of the foreign operation and shall be translated at the closing rate in accordance with paragraphs 39 and 42.

Disposal or partial disposal of a foreign operation

48 On the disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to that foreign operation, recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate component of equity, shall be reclassified from equity to profit or loss (as a reclassification adjustment) when the gain or loss on disposal is recognised (see NZ IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (as revised in 2007)).

48A In addition to the disposal of an entity’s entire interest in a foreign operation, the following partial disposals are accounted for as disposals:

  1. when the partial disposal involves the loss of control of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, regardless of whether the entity retains a non-controlling interest in its former subsidiary after the partial disposal; and

  2. when the retained interest after the partial disposal of an interest in a joint arrangement or a partial disposal of an interest in an associate that includes a foreign operation is a financial asset that includes a foreign operation.

  3. [deleted by IASB]

48B On disposal of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to that foreign operation that have been attributed to the non-controlling interests shall be derecognised, but shall not be reclassified to profit or loss.

48C On the partial disposal of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the entity shall re-attribute the proportionate share of the cumulative amount of the exchange differences recognised in other comprehensive income to the non-controlling interests in that foreign operation. In any other partial disposal of a foreign operation the entity shall reclassify to profit or loss only the proportionate share of the cumulative amount of the exchange differences recognised in other comprehensive income.

48D A partial disposal of an entity’s interest in a foreign operation is any reduction in an entity’s ownership interest in a foreign operation, except those reductions in paragraph 48A that are accounted for as disposals.

49 An entity may dispose or partially dispose of its interest in a foreign operation through sale, liquidation, repayment of share capital or abandonment of all, or part of, that entity. A write-down of the carrying amount of a foreign operation, either because of its own losses or because of an impairment recognised by the investor, does not constitute a partial disposal. Accordingly, no part of the foreign exchange gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss at the time of a write-down.

50 Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and exchange differences arising on translating the results and financial position of an entity (including a foreign operation) into a different currency may have tax effects. NZ IAS 12 Income Taxes applies to these tax effects.

51 In paragraphs 53 and 55–57 references to ‘functional currency’ apply, in the case of a group, to the functional currency of the parent.

52 An entity shall disclose:

  1. the amount of exchange differences recognised in profit or loss except for those arising on financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with NZ IFRS 9; and

  2. net exchange differences recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in a separate component of equity, and a reconciliation of the amount of such exchange differences at the beginning and end of the period.

53 When the presentation currency is different from the functional currency, that fact shall be stated, together with disclosure of the functional currency and the reason for using a different presentation currency.

54 When there is a change in the functional currency of either the reporting entity or a significant foreign operation, that fact and the reason for the change in functional currency shall be disclosed.

*55 When an entity presents its financial statements in a currency that is different from its functional currency, it shall describe the financial statements as complying with NZ IFRS and IFRSs only if they comply with all the requirements of each applicable NZ IFRS and IFRS including the translation method set out in paragraphs 39 and 42.

*56 An entity sometimes presents its financial statements or other financial information in a currency that is not its functional currency without meeting the requirements of paragraph 55. For example, an entity may convert into another currency only selected items from its financial statements. Or, an entity whose functional currency is not the currency of a hyperinflationary economy may convert the financial statements into another currency by translating all items at the most recent closing rate. Such conversions are not in accordance with NZ IFRS and the disclosures set out in paragraph 57 are required.

*57 When an entity displays its financial statements or other financial information in a currency that is different from either its functional currency or its presentation currency and the requirements of paragraph 55 are not met, it shall:

  1. clearly identify the information as supplementary information to distinguish it from the information that complies with IFRSs;

  2. disclose the currency in which the supplementary information is displayed; and

  3. disclose the entity’s functional currency and the method of translation used to determine the supplementary information.

58 This Standard becomes operative for an entity’s financial statements that cover annual accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2007. Early adoption of this Standard is permitted only when an entity complies with NZ IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards for an annual accounting period beginning on or after 1 January 2005.

58A Net Investment in a Foreign Operation (Amendment to NZ IAS 21), issued in February 2006, added paragraph 15A and amended paragraph 33. An entity shall apply those amendments for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2006. Earlier application is encouraged.

59–60 [Paragraphs 59–60 are not reproduced. The transitional provisions in IAS 21 are not relevant to this Standard.]

60A NZ IAS 1 (as revised in 2007) amended the terminology used throughout New Zealand equivalents to IFRSs. In addition it amended paragraphs 27, 30–33, 37, 39, 41, 45, 48 and 52. An entity shall apply those amendments for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. If an entity applies NZ IAS 1 (revised 2007) for an earlier period, the amendments shall be applied for that earlier period.

60B NZ IAS 27 (as amended in 2008) added paragraphs 48A─48D and amended paragraph 49. An entity shall apply those amendments prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009. If an entity applies NZ IAS 27 (amended 2008) for an earlier period, the amendments shall be applied for that earlier period.

60C [Deleted by IASB]

60D Paragraph 60B was amended by Improvements to NZ IFRSs issued in July 2010. An entity shall apply that amendment for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2010. Earlier application is permitted.

60E [Deleted by IASB]

60F NZ IFRS 10 and NZ IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, issued in June 2011, amended paragraphs 3(b), 8, 11, 18, 19, 33, 44–46 and 48A. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies NZ IFRS 10 and NZ IFRS 11.

60G NZ IFRS 13, issued in June 2011, amended the definition of fair value in paragraph 8 and amended paragraph 23. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies NZ IFRS 13.

60H Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (Amendments to NZ IAS 1), issued in August 2011, amended paragraph 39 and added paragraph NZ 3.1. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies NZ IAS 1 as amended in August 2011.

NZ 60H.1 Framework: Tier 1 and Tier 2 For-profit Entities, issued in November 2012, amended extant NZ IFRSs by deleting any public benefit entity paragraphs, deleting any differential reporting concessions, adding scope paragraphs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 for-profit entities and adding disclosure concessions for Tier 2 entities. It made no changes to the requirements for Tier 1 entities. A Tier 2 entity may elect to apply the disclosure concessions for annual periods beginning on or after 1 December 2012. Early application is permitted.

60I [Deleted by IASB]

60J NZ IFRS 9, as issued in September 2014, amended paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 27 and 52 and deleted paragraphs 60C, 60E and 60I. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies NZ IFRS 9.

60K NZ IFRS 16 Leases, issued in February 2016, amended paragraph 16. An entity shall apply that amendment when it applies NZ IFRS 16.

61–62 [Paragraphs 61 and 62 are not reproduced. The withdrawal of previous IASB pronouncements is not relevant to this Standard.]

The amendments in this appendix shall be applied for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005. If an entity applies this Standard for an earlier period, these amendments shall be applied for that earlier period. 

*****

The amendments contained in this appendix have been incorporated into the relevant pronouncements.

Table of Pronouncements – NZ IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

This table lists the pronouncements establishing and substantially amending NZ IAS 21. The table is based on amendments approved as at 28 February 2024.

Pronouncements

Date issued

Early operative date

Mandatory date (annual reporting periods… on or after …)

NZ IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

Nov 2004

1 Jan 2005

1 Jan 2007

Amendment to NZ IAS 21: Net Investment in a Foreign Operation

Feb 2006

1 Jan 2006

1 Jan 2007

NZ IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

(revised 2007)

Nov 2007

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2009

NZ IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (amended 2008)

Feb 2008

Early application permitted

I July 2009

Amendments to NZ IFRS 1 and NZ IAS 27—Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate

June 2008

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2009

NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2009)

Nov 2009

Early application permitted

1 Jan 20131

Improvements to NZ IFRSs

July 2010

Early application permitted

1 July 2010

Minor Amendments to NZ IFRSs

July 2010

Immediate

Immediate

NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2010)

Nov 2010

Early application permitted

1 Jan 20132

NZ IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements

June 2011

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2013

NZ IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

June 2011

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2013

NZ IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement

June 2011

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2013

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income

(Amendments to NZ IAS 1)

Aug 2011

Early application permitted

1 July 2012

Framework: Tier 1 and Tier 2 For-profit Entities3

Nov 2012

Early application permitted

1 Dec 2012

NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2013) (Hedge Accounting and Amendments to NZ IFRS 9, NZ IFRS 7 and NZ IAS 39)

Dec 2013

Early application permitted

1 Jan 20174

NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2014)

Sept 2014

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2018

2017 Omnibus Amendments to NZ IFRS

(editorial corrections only)

Nov 2017

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2018

NZ IFRS 16 Leases

Feb 2016

Early application permitted

1 Jan 2019

Table of Amended Paragraphs in NZ IAS 21

Paragraph affected

How affected

By … [date]

Paragraph 3(b)

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 3

Amended

NZ IFRS 9 (2009) [Nov 2009], NZ IFRS 9 (2010 [Nov 2010],

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph NZ 3.1

Added

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income [Aug 2011]

Paragraph 4

Amended

NZ IFRS 9 (2009) [Nov 2009], NZ IFRS 9 (2010 [Nov 2010],

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 5

Amended

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 8

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 8

Amended

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 8A and preceding heading

Added

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 8B

Added

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 11

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 15A

Added

Amendment to NZ IAS 21 [Feb 2006]

Paragraph 16

Amended

NZ IFRS 16 [Feb 2016]

Paragraph 18

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 19

Amended

NZ IFRS 10 [June 2011]

Paragraph 19A and preceding heading

Added

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 23

Amended

NZ IFRS 13 [June 2011]

Paragraph 26

Amended

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 27

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 27

Amended

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 30

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 31

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 32

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 33

Amended

Amendment to NZ IAS 21 [Feb 2006]

Paragraph 33

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 33

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 37

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 39

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 39

Amended

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income [Aug 2011]

Paragraph 41

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 45

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 44

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 45

Amended

NZ IFRS 10 and NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 46

Amended

NZ IFRS 10 and NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Heading preceding paragraph 48

Amended

NZ IAS 27 [Feb 2008]

Paragraph 48

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraphs 48A–48D

Added

NZ IAS 27 [Feb 2008]

Paragraph 48A

Amended

NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 49

Amended

NZ IAS 27 [Feb 2008]

Paragraph 49

Amended

Amendments to NZ IFRS 1 and NZ IAS 27 [June 2008]

Paragraph 52(b)

Amended

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 52

Amended

NZ IFRS 9 (2009) [Nov 2009], NZ IFRS 9 (2010 [Nov 2010],

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 57A

Added

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 57A

Amended

Lack of Exchangeability RDR [Jan 2024]

Paragraph 57B

Added

Lack of Exchangeability [Nov 2023]

Paragraph 58A

Added

Amendment to NZ IAS 21 [Feb 2006]

Paragraph 60A

Added

NZ IAS 1 [Nov 2007]

Paragraph 60B

Added

NZ IAS 27 [Feb 2008]

Paragraph 60B

Amended

Improvements to NZ IFRSs [July 2010]

Paragraph 60C

Added

NZ IFRS 9 (2009) [Nov 2009]

Paragraph 60C

Deleted

NZ IFRS 9 (2010 [Nov 2010], NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and

NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 60D

Added

Improvements to NZ IFRSs [July 2010]

Paragraph 60E

Added

NZ IFRS 9 (2010 [Nov 2010]

Paragraph 60E

Deleted

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013] and NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 60F

Added

NZ IFRS 10 and NZ IFRS 11 [June 2011]

Paragraph 60G

Added

NZ IFRS 13 [June 2011]

Paragraph 60H

Added

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income [Aug 2011]

Paragraph NZ 60H.1

Added

Framework: Tier 1 and Tier 2 For-profit Entities [Nov 2012]

Paragraph 60I

Added

NZ IFRS 9 (2013) [Dec 2013]

Paragraph 60I

Deleted

NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 60J

Added

NZ IFRS 9 (2014) [Sept 2014]

Paragraph 60K

Added

NZ IFRS 16 [Feb 2016]

1Superseded by NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2014). NZ IFRS 9 (2014) restricted early application of earlier versions of NZ IFRS 9.

2Superseded by NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2014). NZ IFRS 9 (2014) restricted early application of earlier versions of NZ IFRS 9.

3 This pronouncement amended extant NZ IFRSs by (i) deleting any public benefit entity paragraphs, (ii) deleting any differential reporting paragraphs, (iii) adding scope paragraphs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 for-profit entities, and (iv) adding RDR disclosure concessions.

4Superseded by NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2014). NZ IFRS 9 (2014) restricted early application of earlier versions of NZ IFRS 9.