WELLINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday at 2.25 percent but reiterated further easing may be needed given weak inflation.
"Monetary policy will continue to be accommodative. Further policy easing may be required to ensure that future average inflation settles near the middle of the target range," said Governor Graeme Wheeler in a statement.
Eighteen economists polled by Reuters had expected the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to keep rates on hold while six had forecast a rate cut. [NZ/POLL]
For the text of the statement double click on [RBNZ17]
