Business confidence falls but inflationary pressures rise: NZIER

NZIER deputy chief executive Christina Leung. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 07 Oct 2025

Business confidence dropped in the September quarter, but inflationary pressures rose, according to the latest New Zealand Institute of Economic Research survey. A net 15% of firms expect an improvement in general economic conditions over the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis. This was a decline from the net 26% expecting an improvement in the June quarter.Firms' own trading activity showed a net 14% of firms reported a decline in activity in their own business in the September quarter, but a net 9% of firms expect improved...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket starts new week up 0.2%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,499.04, up 34.58 points or 0.26%.

Graham Skellern 6:25pm

Infrastructure

EA flags cost-shifting in connection charges

The electricity regulator links connection charges to cost-shifting onto new customers.

Ian Llewellyn 3:31pm

EA flags cost-shifting in connection charges

Law & Regulation

Uber drivers win battle for employee status in landmark Supreme Court case

Staff reporters 3:15pm

Sponsored

Cybersecurity skills gap leaving Kiwi businesses at risk - report

A cybersecurity skills shortage is creating additional cyber risks, according to a new global report.

Fortinet

Sponsored

Spark’s partner strategy sets the bar for innovation

Spark

More Economy

Economy

Food prices lift 4.7% in 12 months to October

Food prices increased by 4.7% in the 12 months to October, although they fell for the second consecutive month, down 0.3% due to lower vegetable prices.Higher prices for the grocery food group were the largest contributor, up 4.9% on an annual basis, while meat, poultry and fish...

Staff reporters 12:02pm