Reuters Finance News, New Zealand

* Kiwi NZD=D4 settles around $0.7170/80, after hitting a low of $0.7163, its lowest since Oct. 5 after the central bank removed its easing bias, but said it expected to hold rates at a record low until at least July. [ID:nSYD80874]

* Swap rates NZDIRS fall across the curve as investors scale back their rate-hike expectations. One-year swaps NZDSM3NB1Y= down as much as 18.5 basis points, biggest drop since the last rate cut in April.

* Bank bill futures prices 0#NBB: jump as the market prices in reduced chance of an early rise in interest rates. The March contract up 0.21 points, while June climbs 0.25 points.

* Kiwi was already under pressure as profit-taking and risk aversion weighed on high-yield currencies, leaving far behind last week's 15-month high of $0.7635.

* The safety of the U.S. dollar and yen sought as U.S. data shows an unexpected fall in new home sales, which offset solid durable goods report. See [USD/]

* Trade weighted NZ dollar =NZD down more than 2.5 percent as kiwi falls against most other currencies, including a three-month low against the Aussie NZDAUD=R as the rate gap between the two looks set to widen.

* NZ bonds rally across the curve after the RBNZ rate decision, with yields up to 10 basis points lower.