New Zealand manufacturing slips into contraction amid weak demand, higher costs

June 11, 2026 6:37 PM EDT

People cross the road at Lambton Quay in Wellington, New Zealand, September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Marty Melville

SYDNEY, June ‌12 (Reuters) - New ​Zealand's ​manufacturing activity contracted slightly in May, ‌slipping back into negative territory ⁠after seven months of expansion, ‌as businesses remained concerned ‌about weak demand and global economic pressures.

The Bank ​of New Zealand-Business NZ's seasonally adjusted Performance of ⁠Manufacturing Index fell to 49.9 in May ​from 50.4 in April and 52.8 in March.

A reading above ​50 indicates ‌manufacturing activity is expanding, while anything below that ⁠threshold points to contraction.

"Manufacturers are obviously struggling in the ⁠face of a combination of adverse ​influences, including lack of customer demand, high fuel prices and the ‌conflict in the Middle East," BusinessNZ Director ‌of Advocacy Catherine Beard ⁠said in ‌a statement.

(Reporting ​by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Chris ‌Reese)



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