Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Conway warns of persistent inflation and possible further rate hikes

```htmlGolden Ten Data July 14｜Paul Conway, Chief Economist of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, stated on Tuesday that domestic inflation may not decline as quickly as previously expected by the central bank, and further interest rate hikes are not ruled out. Last week, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand lowered its third-quarter inflation forecast from 4.3% to 3.3%, mainly boosted by falling fuel prices due to a temporary US-Iran agreement. However, in recent days, renewed conflicts in the Middle East have led to a rebound in international oil prices. Conway, speaking in Wellington, said: "Changes in the Middle East over the past week mean that there are upside risks to our September quarter inflation forecast. If the inflationary pressures caused by the Middle East conflict persist longer than anticipated, we will implement corresponding regulatory measures."```