New Zealand Economy Shows Resilience Amidst Global Uncertainty

New Zealand's economy is showing resilience despite earlier concerns, according to BusinessNZ's Chief Economist John Pask. The latest Planning Forecast indicates that growth is forecast to continue through 2028, with annual growth nearing three percent by then.

Pask notes that while uncertainty surrounding the upcoming general election has made investors more cautious, it hasn't significantly affected investment behavior yet. However, he cautions that sustained growth will depend on addressing deeper structural and long-term challenges such as an aging population and a complex geopolitical environment.

The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast is based on over 30 economic indicators and forecasts from major banks. It includes the Economic Conditions Index (ECI), which measures changes in economic growth, monetary conditions, business and consumer activity, and the labor market. The ECI reading for the September 2026 quarter is 13, up 10 points from a year ago.