The economy expanded 1.1 percent in the September 2025 quarter, reversing June’s 1.0 percent decline, Stats NZ said. Despite the quarterly rise, GDP over the year to September 2025 was 0.5 percent lower than the year to September 2024. GDP has risen in three of the past four quarters.

Growth was broad-based, with increases in 14 of 16 industries. Business services were the largest contributor, up 1.6 percent, driven by a 2.1 percent rise in professional, scientific, and technical services such as computer system design. Manufacturing rose 2.2 percent, led by food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing, after a 3.9 percent fall in June when it was the main drag on GDP. Information media and telecommunications was the largest downward contributor, down 2.1 percent.

GDP per capita rose 0.9 percent in the quarter.

On the expenditure side, GDP rose 1.3 percent, following a 0.8 percent fall in June. Exports increased 3.3 percent, with gains in travel services, dairy, and other services including insurance. Gross fixed capital formation rose 3.2 percent as businesses invested more in transport equipment and plant, machinery, and equipment, supported by higher imports of capital goods and motor vehicles.

Household consumption increased 0.1 percent. Spending on durables rose 2.0 percent, led by audio-visual equipment and motor vehicles, while spending on services fell 0.1 percent and non-durables fell 0.2 percent. The retail trade survey for the quarter recorded motor vehicle and parts retailing up 7.2 percent and electrical and electronic goods retailing up 9.8 percent.

Stats NZ said this release incorporates updates from the annual national accounts cycle, which include revisions to quarterly GDP series.