Revealed: NZ’s most productive companies, sectors – and which ones are on the up

NZ’s largest companies generally outperform productivity benchmarks. (Image: Supplied/NZME/BusinessDesk)

Mon, 29 Sep 2025

One NZX50 company saw productivity dive 52% while another’s tripled, but, overall, many of our biggest firms barely beat inflation with their gains, as Michael Neilson reveals in our Productivity Unleashed series.One of New Zealand’s largest and most global companies has seen its productivity go backwards over the past decade, while another has seen it increase by more than 300%.BusinessDesk has analysed the productivity of a cross-section of NZ companies in the NZX50 – the main stock market index in NZ – focusing o...

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 }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Wednesday, Oct 01

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Policy

Energy reforms: govt waves the chequebook

Crown backing for new generation, power company capital-raising and LNG outlined.

Pattrick Smellie 8:00am

Energy reforms: govt waves the chequebook

Finance

KiwiRail targets earnings jump in ‘sluggish’ economy

Operating earnings improved in most segments, other than ferry services.

Pattrick Smellie 5:00am

KiwiRail targets earnings jump in ‘sluggish’ economy

Sponsored

Fiji’s exclusive side revealed

Private islands and 5-star luxury, closer than you think.

Tourism Fiji

Sponsored

The double edge of AI in cyber security

Artificial intelligence has the potential to become both a lifeline and a liability for modern organisations, as a revolutionary tool capable of spotting threats at lightning speed, but also the ultimate weapon in the hands of cybercriminals.

Spark