WELLINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Finance Minister Grant Robertson said on Friday the central bank's independence remained "paramount" as he reiterated the government's commitment to expanding its objectives to include a focus on employment.
"We will continue to ensure that inflation is carefully managed within the target band," Robertson said in a speech where he laid out the government's economic plans.
He said the budget policy statement and half yearly economic and fiscal update would be released on Dec. 14.
