Dairy Sector Remains Vital to New Zealand's Economy

An analysis by Sense Partners has highlighted the crucial role of the dairy sector in regional New Zealand. The study, commissioned by DairyNZ and DCANZ, found that the industry remains the country's largest export earner, generating $28.8 billion in revenue for the year ending December 2025.

The report also revealed that dairy farming directly provided over 51,000 jobs across the country, while dairy processing added an additional $10.7 billion to the national GDP for the year to March 2024. This contribution accounted for 2.8% of New Zealand's economy.

In regions such as Waikato, Southland, Taranaki, and the West Coast, dairy is a significant contributor to economic activity and community wellbeing. The industry delivers 12% of the West Coast's GDP and provides one in every four jobs in south Taranaki.