Stuttering start to 2025 for business confidence

Lack of sales remains the main constraint on NZ business confidence. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 14 Jan 2025

Firms are heading into 2025 feeling a bit more optimistic about the economic outlook, although their own trading activity continues generally to be weak.The Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) finds that business owners still expect an economic recovery this year but are on the sidelines until better evidence emerges.“A notable proportion of firms intend to reduce investment in buildings, and plant and machinery over the coming year,” NZIER said. “Firms l...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

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

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.

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].interval) | 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 up on economic recovery news

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 12,884.38, up 57.05 points or 0.44%.

Graham Skellern 14 Jan 2025

Primary Sector

Scott Tech lands $18m in meat processing deals

The contracts will be recognised across Scott’s 2025 and 2026 financial years.

Ben Moore 14 Jan 2025

Scott Tech lands $18m in meat processing deals

Property

Future of apprenticeships kicked down the road again

Industries will be presented with two options this month, the skills minister says.

Maria Slade 14 Jan 2025

Future of apprenticeships kicked down the road again

Sponsored

Why Kiwis are embracing Bitcoin ETFs

The once hard-to-access investment option is becoming mainstream.

Smart

Sponsored

Boost worker health, boost results

Research shows flexible workspaces improve health and productivity

Regus

More Economy

Retail

Hospitality spending hit hardest in 2024

Core retail spending grew at the slowest rate in five years.

Gregor Thompson 13 Jan 2025

Economy

Nearly 6,000 new roles filled in November, Stats NZ says

The country added almost 6,000 jobs in November, and service industries fueled the increase.Stats New Zealand said on Monday that filled job numbers rose 0.3% compared to October.Primary industries provided 436 fewer jobs.Goods-producing industries, the biggest of which are manuf...

Staff reporters 13 Jan 2025