NZ central bank chief: gradual stimulus withdrawal appropriate

The governor's emphasis on a gradual path signals the central bank is prioritizing data dependency over a fixed timeline, which could reduce near-term volatility in rate expectations. This matters for markets pricing New Zealand assets, as a slower withdrawal may keep domestic liquidity supportive for longer than some forecasts assume. The key watchpoint is whether incoming inflation or employment figures force a faster pivot, as that would challenge the stated gradualism. The tone suggests officials are wary of overtightening into an uncertain global backdrop, making the pace of future adjustments the central variable for traders.