New Zealand’s manufacturing sector saw a modest pullback at the end of 2025, with manufacturing sales volume declining 0.5% in the fourth quarter on a quarter-over-quarter basis. The latest data, updated on 11 March 2026, mark a shift from the third quarter of 2025, when sales volume had risen 1.1%.
The figures highlight a clear reversal in momentum: the “actual” fourth-quarter reading shows how sales volumes changed compared with the previous quarter, while the “previous” figure reflects the third quarter’s change relative to the second quarter of 2025. After expanding in Q3, the sector moved into negative territory in Q4, suggesting softening demand or normalisation following earlier strength.
Although the decline is not steep, the move from positive 1.1% to negative 0.5% quarter-over-quarter will likely refocus attention on the resilience of New Zealand’s manufacturing base as 2026 progresses, particularly in the context of broader economic conditions and global demand trends.
