FX.co ★ New Zealand Private Sector Growth Hits 3-Month High

The BusinessNZ Performance of Composite Index rose to 53.4 in September 2026, up from a slightly revised 52.4 in August, marking a fourth consecutive month of expansion. This was the highest reading since June, reflecting faster growth in the manufacturing sector alongside continued expansion in services. Manufacturing activity strengthened despite headwinds from elevated fuel costs and uncertainty ahead of the general election. By contrast, services growth moderated slightly as the pace of new orders slowed. Among the sub-indices, stocks recorded faster expansion, while activity/sales returned to growth. In opposition to this, supplier deliveries and employment remained in contraction. The latest result underscores that cost-of-living pressures, fuel prices, interest rates, and election-related uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on sentiment.