WELLINGTON (Reuters) -- New Zealand's economy grew much faster than expected in the first quarter as the country recovers from a pandemic-induced slowdown, affirming a view that monetary policy conditions may tighten sooner than previously expected.
Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.6% in the three months through to March, Statistics New Zealand said on Thursday, well above a Reuters poll forecast of 0.5% growth and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) estimate of a 0.6% fall.
