NZ services sector activity slows, South Island activity contracts

NZ services sector activity slows, South Island activity contracts
By Paul McBeth Sept. 16 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand’s services sector, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the economy, slowed in August as dwindling activity in the South Island dragged on the national figure. The BNZ-BusinessNZ performance of services index fell 4.9 points to 53.2 last month in the lowest reading since January, and was up from 51.2 in August 2012. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in activity. The national reading was dragged lower by shrinking activity in the South Island, with Canterbury/Westland recording 4...