Overview
- The seasonally adjusted index rose 4.4 points from November to 56.1, comfortably above the long-run average of 52.5.
- All five sub-components expanded, led by New Orders at 59.8, with Production at 57.4 and Employment at 53.8.
- Surveyed firms pointed to Christmas-related buying alongside improving confidence, export orders, new customers, product launches and infrastructure work.
- BNZ’s Doug Steel said the outcome is positive for fourth-quarter GDP calculations and indicates solid momentum into early 2026.
- National coverage described the reading as a four-year high, emphasizing the sector’s late-year resurgence.