New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index eased to 59.2 in February 2026 from 64.1 in the prior month, the lowest since last October, though sentiment remained solidly positive. Forward indicators softened, including export intentions (19.0 vs 20.4 in January), profit expectations (31.8 vs 32.9), pricing intentions (53.3 vs 56.5), and investment intentions (24.8 vs 28.3). Cost pressures intensified (79.4 vs 77.8), while credit availability fell sharply (7.5 vs 16.3). Employment intentions were broadly steady (22.3 vs 22.4), and wage growth expectations edged up (3.01% vs 2.82%). Firms’ own activity outlook was little changed (52.6 (51.6), while past activity weakened (23.4 vs 26.2). Inflation expectations rose to 2.93% from 2.77%, the highest since April 2024. Sector data were mixed, with residential construction intentions easing markedly (41.4 vs 58.8), while commercial construction remained subdued (45.6 vs 44.7). source: ANZ Bank New Zealand

Business Confidence in New Zealand decreased to 59.20 points in February from 64.10 points in January of 2026. Business Confidence in New Zealand averaged 3.60 points from 1970 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 80.90 points in February of 1994 and a record low of -76.40 points in December of 1974. This page provides - New Zealand Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Business Confidence in New Zealand decreased to 59.20 points in February from 64.10 points in January of 2026. Business Confidence in New Zealand is expected to be 75.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Business Confidence is projected to trend around 74.00 points in 2027 and 79.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-29 12:00 AM
ANZ Business Confidence
Jan 64.1 73.6 73.9
2026-02-26 12:00 AM
ANZ Business Confidence
Feb 59.2 64.1 67
2026-03-31 12:00 AM
ANZ Business Confidence
Mar 59.2 75


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 44.00 53.00 Individuals Jan 2026
ANZ Business Confidence 59.20 64.10 points Feb 2026
NZIER Capacity Utilization 89.80 89.10 percent Dec 2025
Car Registrations 3168.00 3015.00 Units Jan 2026
Changes in Inventories -429.00 -45.00 NZD Million Sep 2025
Corruption Index 81.00 83.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 4.00 4.00 Dec 2025
Industrial Production -0.70 -4.80 percent Sep 2025
Manufacturing Sales YoY -0.70 1.30 percent Dec 2025


New Zealand Business Confidence
In New Zealand, the business confidence index is designed to provide a snapshot of business opinions regarding the expected future state of their business and economy overall. The survey covers around 700 respondents. The Net index is calculated by subtracting the percentage number of businesses that expect that the economic situation improves from the number that expect decline.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
59.20 64.10 80.90 -76.40 1970 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Business Sentiment Falls to 4-Month Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index eased to 59.2 in February 2026 from 64.1 in the prior month, the lowest since last October, though sentiment remained solidly positive. Forward indicators softened, including export intentions (19.0 vs 20.4 in January), profit expectations (31.8 vs 32.9), pricing intentions (53.3 vs 56.5), and investment intentions (24.8 vs 28.3). Cost pressures intensified (79.4 vs 77.8), while credit availability fell sharply (7.5 vs 16.3). Employment intentions were broadly steady (22.3 vs 22.4), and wage growth expectations edged up (3.01% vs 2.82%). Firms’ own activity outlook was little changed (52.6 (51.6), while past activity weakened (23.4 vs 26.2). Inflation expectations rose to 2.93% from 2.77%, the highest since April 2024. Sector data were mixed, with residential construction intentions easing markedly (41.4 vs 58.8), while commercial construction remained subdued (45.6 vs 44.7).
2026-02-26
New Zealand Business Sentiment Falls to 3-Month Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index dropped to 64.1 in January from 73.6 in the prior month, marking its lowest level since October, though sentiment stayed firmly positive. Expected own activity eased (51.6 vs 60.9 in December, while past activity slipped (26.2 vs 29.3) but remained near its second-highest since August 2021. Forward-looking indicators softened: export intentions (20.4 vs 25.6), employment intentions (22.4 vs 27.5), and profit expectations (32.9 vs 42.7). Meanwhile, cost pressures intensified (77.8 vs 76.1) and credit availability tightened further (16.3 vs 28.4). At the same time, pricing intentions strengthened (56.5 vs 51.7), wage growth expectations edged up (2.82 vs 2.70), and investment intentions was stable (28.3 vs 28.1). Inflation expectations ticked higher (2.77% vs 2.69%). Sector trends diverged, with residential construction intentions improving (58.8 vs 54.8), while commercial construction slumped (44.7 vs 57.1).
2026-01-29
New Zealand Business Sentiment Hits 30-Year Peak
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index surged to 73.6 in December 2025 from 67.1 in the prior month, marking its highest level since March 1994, boosted by renewed confidence in an economic rebound, improving business outlook, and continued monetary easing. Expected own activity notched its highest level in three decades (60.9 vs 53.1 in November), and past own activity reached its strongest print since August 2021 (29.1 vs 21.3). Export intentions also strengthened (25.6 vs 23.2), as did employment intentions (27.5 vs 18.5), investment intentions (28.1 vs 19.9), profit expectations (42.7 vs 27.6), and pricing determination (51.7 vs 50.5). Wage growth expectations edged higher (2.70 vs 2.58) amid rising cost pressures (76.1 vs 73.8) and a drop from a record high in credit availability (28.4 vs 32.1). Inflation expectations remained stable (at 2.69%). In sectors, both residential construction intentions (54.8 vs 46.3) and commercial construction (57.1 vs 46.5) strengthened.
2025-12-19