By REBECCA HOWARD WELLINGTON, New Zealand--The New Zealand dollar was weaker late Friday but largely treading water ahead of U.S. data due later in the global day. "All eyes are on non-farm payrolls," said ANZ Bank Foreign Exchange Manager Murray Hindley. However, he also noted that the Kiwi continues to be weighed by weak Australia data. Australia's government warned Friday that economic growth this year would be slower, unemployment higher and tax revenues sharply lower than previously expected, the latest sign that the nation's mining boom is rapidly cooling. Mr. Hindley also noted that an index of final Australian producer prices was also soft. In late Wellington trading the New Zealand dollar was at US$0.7891 versus US$0.7965 late Thursday but was largely steady on the day. It was at A$0.8857 versus A$0.8885 late Thursday. Mr. Hindley said the Kiwi has support around US$0.7880 ahead of the U.S. jobs data. He noted that the market is fairly upbeat regarding its expectations so any disappointment will elicit a more significant reaction. U.S. data has taken on heightened significance as investors prepare for any indication that the U.S. Federal Reserve will start winding down its $85-billion-a-month bond buying program. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect July nonfarm payrolls to increase by 175,000, less than the 195,000 added in June. The July unemployment rate is forecast to slip to 7.5% from 7.6% in June.

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