New Zealand’s central bank could expand its government bond buying programme further though it hopes to have more certainty in about three months’ time on whether to go harder or ease back stimulus, a top official said on Tuesday. {image} Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Deputy Governor Geoff Bascand told Reuters the COVID-19 pandemic was dealing a “severe shock” to the country’s export-reliant economy, which is expected to contract a massive 21.8% in the current quarter. “This is a situation where we have all been operating with an enormous degree of uncertainty,” Bascand told Reuters in an interview, referring to ... (full story)