# New Zealand economic growth and sector performance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-zealand-economic-growth-and-sector-performance
> Updated: 2026-09-16T23:15:25.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

New Zealand’s economy has shown mixed indicators of growth and sector-specific performance. The manufacturing sector experienced 14 consecutive months of expansion, with the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index reaching 53.1 in August. This growth was noted to be spreading across various industry groups and all four regions of the country.

However, overall economic growth slowed to 0.2 percent in the June quarter, down from 0.9 percent in the March quarter. While some service indices indicated resilience, labor advocates raised concerns regarding the distribution of wealth. Sandra Grey of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions noted that “the recovery has not reached working people,” highlighting that GDP per capita remains 1.5 percent below levels from three years ago. Additionally, the labor market faced pressure with unemployment at 5.6 percent, and the construction sector experienced a significant decline in output.

## Claims

- New Zealand's GDP increased by 0.2 percent in the June quarter. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The unemployment rate has risen to 5.6 percent. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- GDP per capita is 1.5 percent lower than it was three years ago. (single source)
- Annual average growth in operating surplus and mixed income was 7.4 percent, while employee compensation grew by 2.7 percent. (single source)
- Long-term unemployment has increased by 150 percent since 2023. (single source)
- Annual inflation was at 4.1 percent. (single source)
- Construction output has decreased by nearly 10 percent compared to the same quarter three years ago. (single source)
- The BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index returned to expansion in June with a score of 50.6. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: New Zealand economy grows 0.2 percent in June quarter

New Zealand's economy grew 0.2 percent in the June quarter. While business groups see resilience, the NZCTU warns that workers face rising unemployment and that growth benefits are not being shared evenly.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-economy-grows-02-percent-in-june-quarter

### 2026-09-09: New Zealand manufacturing sector sees 14 months of continuous growth

New Zealand's manufacturing sector has grown for 14 straight months, with the PMI reaching 53.1 in August as expansion spreads across all regions and major industry groups.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-manufacturing-sector-sees-14-months-of-continuous-growth

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Cite as: New Zealand economic growth and sector performance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-zealand-economic-growth-and-sector-performance