GDP up 0.2% in June quarter as construction offsets falls in services
New Zealand's economy grew 0.2 percent in the three months to June, Stats NZ data reported on 16 September showed. The economy was 2.6 percent larger than a year ago. On an annual average basis, which irons out quarter-to-quarter bumps like an average of test scores, it grew 1.7 percent over the year to June, according to RNZ.
Growth in the March quarter was revised up to 0.9 percent. GDP per person, total output divided by population, rose 0.1 percent in the June quarter. Household disposable income, money left after tax and transfers, fell 0.4 percent in the quarter. It was 2.5 percent higher than a year ago.
Nine of 16 industries grew in the quarter, Stats NZ spokesperson Jason Attewell said. Construction activity rose 2.7 percent, led by house building. Goods-producing industries rose 1.3 percent in total. Services rose 0.2 percent. Accommodation and food services fell 3.8 percent. Road transport and support services fell 1.7 percent.
Stats NZ describes gross domestic product as New Zealand's official measure of economic growth and as a snapshot of how the economy is performing, according to Stats NZ. It lists the Gross domestic product: June 2026 quarter release as dated 17 September 2026. Its National accounts (income, saving, assets, and liabilities): June 2026 quarter release is due on 8 October 2026. Data reported in March showed GDP rose 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter. That was weaker than analysts expected, according to Reuters. Finance Minister Willis had said she expected a return to growth in the third quarter of 2025, with faster growth in 2026.
The broader context here is the narrowness of the lift. It follows a run of small quarterly results that have shaped debate in the Beehive. Growth was small. Growth per person was barely positive. Construction pushed up goods-producing industries while parts of services went backwards. That mix matters for what ministers say about recovery, for Opposition questions about living standards, and for how the National accounts release on income and saving is read. Disposable income down on the quarter but up on the year gives both sides a figure to quote. The upward revision to March changes the starting point for June without changing the low momentum.
