NZ's GDP growth probably slowed in 3rd qtr as dairy decline offset buoyant construction

NZ's GDP growth probably slowed in 3rd qtr as dairy decline offset buoyant construction
Rebecca Howard
By Rebecca Howard Dec. 15 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand economy probably expanded at a slower pace in the third quarter as a bounce in construction was offset by declines in dairy production and housing-related spending. Gross domestic product grew 0.6 percent in the three months ended Sept. 30 and 2.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the median in a Bloomberg poll of 15 economists. The Reserve Bank projects quarterly growth of 0.7 percent in the third quarter, while the Treasury yesterday lowered its forecast to 0.6 percent f...