New Zealand continues to ease monetary policy

Source: Xinhua | 2020-06-25

The Monetary Policy Committee agreed to continue with the Large-Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) program aimed at keeping interest rates low for the foreseeable future, a statement of the New Zealand Reserve Bank said on Wednesday.

The LSAP quantum remains set at 60 billion NZ dollars (38.8 billion U.S. dollars). The assets included are New Zealand Government Bonds, Local Government Funding Agency Bonds, and NZ Government Inflation-Indexed Bonds.

The committee is committed to reviewing this quantum at regular intervals, with a focus on achieving its remit. The Official Cash Rate (OCR) is being held at 0.25 percent in accordance with the guidance issued on March 16, the statement said.

New Zealand has contained the spread of COVID-19 locally for now, enabling a relaxation of social restrictions and an earlier resumption of domestic economic activity than assumed in the May Monetary Policy Statement, it said.

"The government's intended fiscal stimulus, announced in its May Budget, was also slightly larger than we assumed. These outcomes give cause for some confidence but significant economic challenges remain," it said.

"The severe global economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is persisting, leading to lower economic activity, employment, and inflation abroad and in New Zealand," according to the reserve bank.

The negative economic impact on New Zealand is exacerbated by the required international border restrictions, as the vast majority of the world battles to contain the pandemic. The appreciation of New Zealand's exchange rate has placed further pressure on export earnings, it said.

The main support for the economy in this environment is appropriately being provided through increased fiscal spending. However, monetary policy will continue to provide significant support, the statement said.

The Monetary Policy Committee is prepared to provide additional stimulus as necessary. As well as potentially expanding the LSAP program, the committee said it continues to prepare for the use of additional monetary policy tools as needed.

The committee reached a consensus to continue monetary easing through the existing LSAP program and to keep the OCR at 0.25 percent, it said.