However, the dollar has already fallen sharply this week against the US currency and dealers are starting to say the peak has already been reached.
The survey was taken between April 26 and May 10 when the New Zealand dollar ranged between US83c and US85c.
Since then, there has been a steady depreciation in the currency, largely reflecting US dollar strength.
The Kiwi Dollar Barometer tracks the exposure of exporters and importers to foreign currency risk through surveying businesses with annual turnover of at least $1 million.
ASB economist Christina Leung said businesses, on average, expected the dollar to peak at US85c in September before easing to US83c in June next year.
''It is possible the survey results, particularly in regards to near-term expectations of the kiwi, may have been very different had the survey been taken over the latter period.''
The New Zealand dollar is now trading around US78c to US79c, following good employment news over the weekend which added strength to the US dollar and higher expectations for economic growth.
Markets expect the Federal Reserve to taper off its quantitative easing programme in September or October, which will also help strengthen the US currency.
The New Zealand dollar rose against the yen yesterday on speculation the Bank of Japan may announce further stimulus measures, prompting Japanese investors to seek higher returns in markets such as New Zealand.
Ms Leung said interest rate differentials were again seen as a key factor behind the strength of the kiwi against the US dollar. More than 44% of businesses surveyed saw it as the key driver.
''This was the case across all types of businesses. Interest-rate differentials tend to become more important for the direction of currencies in times of low market volatility.''
Markets expected the Reserve Bank's next move to be an increase in interest rates, in contrast to the substantial amount of stimulus expected from the other major central banks over the coming years. The difference was underpinning New Zealand's relatively higher interest rates, she said.
In Australia, the Reserve Bank is expected to cut its 2.75% interest rate this year and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to lift its 2.5% cash rate in March.
Quantitative easing, which involves central banks printing money to buy treasury bonds, had become the second-most important perceived driver of the strength of the New Zealand dollar.
