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Outlook > 2007 > November
Good GDP growth
THE latest GDP data has encouraging signs for the New Zealand economy, which continues to show solid growth.
GDP grew by 0.7 per cent in the June Quarter and 2.2 per cent for the
year ended June 2007 according to Statistics New Zealand. Growth in the
quarter was higher than the market median expectation, driven mainly by
a build-up of inventories on the expenditure side and services on the
production side.
"We are effectively at full employment, which is great news for the
financial security of New Zealanders. This means businesses will look
more towards capital investment.
"On an annual basis, investment in plant, machinery and equipment was
up 2.9 per cent in the year ended June 2007.That should have positive
flow-on effects for our productivity," Acting Finance Minister Trevor
Mallard said.
"The data also shows household consumption growth starting to weaken.
We need to see this trend continue. That's why Budget 2007 focused on
encouraging saving and investing.
"Another positive from the data is that New Zealand exports have done
surprisingly well despite the high kiwi dollar. Manufacturing
experienced its second successive quarterly increase, up 0.5 per cent
in the June 2007 Quarter following a 1.1 per cent increase in the March
Quarter.
"Our GDP performance reinforces that under the stewardship of the
Labour-led government, New Zealand is experiencing its longest period
of economic expansion in a generation," Mr Mallard said. |