19.12.202500:46:02UTC+00New Zealand Business Sentiment Hits 30-Year Peak

The ANZ Business Outlook Index in New Zealand experienced a significant rise, reaching 73.6 in December 2025, up from 67.1 in the previous month. This is its highest point since March 1994, driven by a revived confidence in economic recovery, an optimistic business outlook, and sustained monetary policy easing. The expectation for own activity soared to its highest in thirty years, climbing to 60.9 from 53.1 in November, while past activity reached its strongest since August 2021, increasing to 29.1 from 21.3. Export intentions saw a boost, advancing to 25.6 from 23.2, alongside increases in employment intentions (27.5 from 18.5), investment intentions (28.1 from 19.9), profit expectations (42.7 from 27.6), and pricing strategies (51.7 from 50.5). Meanwhile, wage growth expectations nudged higher to 2.70 from 2.58, reflecting mounting cost pressures (76.1 from 73.8) and a decrease in credit availability from its peak levels, now at 28.4 down from 32.1. Inflation expectations held steady at 2.69%. Sector-wise, both residential and commercial construction intentions demonstrated growth, with residential construction intentions rising to 54.8 from 46.3 and commercial construction moving to 57.1 from 46.5.