New Zealand's economy grew 0.8% in the March quarter, marking another quarter of expansion as exports and manufacturing lifted activity, new figures show.
The rise, reported by Stats NZ this morning, follows a 0.5% increase in the December 2025 quarter, with annual GDP growth also sitting at 0.8%.
March figures cover a quarter when conflict in the Middle East erupted in its second half.
Stats NZ macroeconomic spokesperson Jason Attewell said growth was broad-based, with nine of 16 industries recording an increase in economic activity over the quarter.
Manufacturing was the largest upward contributor, up 1.9%.
Attewell said the sector was a major part of the economy.
"New Zealand's manufacturing industry is a large and diverse sector of the economy, making up around 8.0% of GDP," he said.
The rise in manufacturing was led by a 4.0% jump in transportation equipment, machinery, and equipment manufacturing, alongside a 1.7% lift in food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing.
Business services rose 1.1% and wholesale trade climbed 2.4%, both helping push GDP higher.
But not every sector shared in the gains.
Mining was the largest downward contributor, down 11.6%, driven primarily by a fall in oil and gas extraction. Construction also slipped, down 1.0% in the quarter.
"Declines in both residential and non-residential building contributed to the overall fall in construction activity in this period," Attewell said.
Stats NZ said the measurement of GDP in the March quarter "was not heavily impacted by the Middle East conflict and late-quarter fuel price increases".
"Our headline measure of GDP is presented in volume terms, with the impact of price change removed from the measurement.
"Therefore, price changes on their own will not impact GDP."
A spokesperson said officials were "monitoring the suitability of our usual methods for accurate measurement of GDP for future releases" .
They said in future, the level of "activity in various segments of the economy might be significantly impacted by the Middle East conflict and elevated fuel prices".
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