NZ manufacturing activity at 14-month high as production steps up a gear

NZ manufacturing activity at 14-month high as production steps up a gear
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth April 13 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's manufacturing activity rose to its highest level in 14 months in March as a jump in new orders underpinned production, while a robust building sector continues to drive the country's economy.  The Bank of New Zealand-BusinessNZ performance of manufacturing index rose to a seasonally adjusted 57.8 in March from 55.7 in February, and was up from 53.4 a year earlier. That's the highest level of expansion since January 2016, and extended the sector's growing activity since October 2012. A...