New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index slumped to 32.5 in March 2026 from 59.2 in the previous month, marking the weakest reading since July 2024, as companies grew more cautious over potential fallout from the Middle East shock. Firms’ own activity outlook plummeted (39.3 vs 52.6 in February), and past activity weakened (17.5 vs 23.4). Forward-looking indicators deteriorated broadly: export intentions (15.2 vs 19.0), profit expectations (19.7 vs 31.8), and investment intentions (14.5 vs 24.8). Also, employment intentions slid (9.4 vs 22.3) and wage growth expectations eased (2.74% vs 3.01%). Pricing intentions rose (60.3 vs 53.3), while cost pressures moderated slightly (84.7 vs 79.4). Credit availability turned negative (-3.3 vs 7.5), highlighting tighter financial conditions, and inflation expectations edged up (3.08% vs 2.93%). Sector sentiment also softened, including residential construction intention (35.3 vs 41.4) and commercial construction (42.1 vs 45.6). source: ANZ Bank New Zealand

Business Confidence in New Zealand decreased to 32.50 points in March from 59.20 points in February of 2026. Business Confidence in New Zealand averaged 3.66 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 April of 2026.

Business Confidence in New Zealand decreased to 32.50 points in March from 59.20 points in February of 2026. Business Confidence in New Zealand is expected to be 57.00 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 72.00 points in 2027 and 79.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
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 32.5 59.2 57
2026-04-30 01:00 AM
ANZ Business Confidence
Apr 32.5 30


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 87.00 44.00 Individuals Feb 2026
ANZ Business Confidence 32.50 59.20 points Mar 2026
NZIER Capacity Utilization 89.80 89.10 percent Dec 2025
Car Registrations 3328.00 3168.00 Units Feb 2026
Changes in Inventories 229.00 -385.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Corruption Index 81.00 83.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 4.00 4.00 Dec 2025
Industrial Production 0.70 -0.50 percent Dec 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
32.50 59.20 80.90 -76.40 1970 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Business Mood Slumps to Near 2-Year Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index slumped to 32.5 in March 2026 from 59.2 in the previous month, marking the weakest reading since July 2024, as companies grew more cautious over potential fallout from the Middle East shock. Firms’ own activity outlook plummeted (39.3 vs 52.6 in February), and past activity weakened (17.5 vs 23.4). Forward-looking indicators deteriorated broadly: export intentions (15.2 vs 19.0), profit expectations (19.7 vs 31.8), and investment intentions (14.5 vs 24.8). Also, employment intentions slid (9.4 vs 22.3) and wage growth expectations eased (2.74% vs 3.01%). Pricing intentions rose (60.3 vs 53.3), while cost pressures moderated slightly (84.7 vs 79.4). Credit availability turned negative (-3.3 vs 7.5), highlighting tighter financial conditions, and inflation expectations edged up (3.08% vs 2.93%). Sector sentiment also softened, including residential construction intention (35.3 vs 41.4) and commercial construction (42.1 vs 45.6).
2026-03-31
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 vs 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