New Zealand keeps cash rate at record lows

[WELLINGTON] New Zealand's central bank left the official cash rate at a record low of 1.75 per cent on Thursday amid moderate inflation and healthy economic growth.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said monetary policy was set to "remain accommodative for a considerable period" barring unforeseen circumstances.

"Growth is projected to maintain its current pace going forward, supported by accommodative monetary policy, population growth, elevated terms of trade, and fiscal stimulus," acting governor Grant Spencer said.

The base rate has remained unchanged since November last year, when it was cut from 2.0 per cent, and analysts do not expect any movement until mid-2018 at the earliest.

Annual inflation was 1.7 per cent in the year to June 30 and Spencer said was forecast to hit 2.0 per cent in the long term, the middle of the bank's 1.0-3.0 target band.

Economic growth in the 12 months to the end of June was 2.7 per cent and the economy has been tracking at about three percent for well over a year.

Westpac economist Imre Speizer said the Reserve Bank's stance had been widely anticipated.

"There's not much here for markets to react to, apart from a hint of possible downgrade to its construction industry forecast," he said in a note to clients.

AFP