New Zealand economy grows 0.2% in June quarter
Thursday 17 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Stats NZ
Stats NZ figures show the economy grew by 0.2% in the June 2026 quarter, following a revised 0.9% increase in March. Construction activity rose by 2.7%, acting as a primary driver for growth. However, consumer spending and transport activity were weaker during this period.
Key facts
5 facts
- GDP grew 0.2% in the June 2026 quarter
- Construction activity increased by 2.7%
- Petrol import costs rose 63.8% between March and June quarters
- Annual GDP rose 1.7% in the 12 months to June
- Accommodation and food services fell 3.8%
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.2% in the three months to June 2026. This follows a revised 0.9% increase in the March quarter. The annual GDP rose 1.7% over the year.
The construction sector was the largest upward contributor, increasing by 2.7% due to residential building activity. Other growing sectors included government services, which grew 2%, and wholesale trade, which rose 1.3%.
Economic growth was impacted by a fuel crisis linked to conflict in the Middle East. Petrol import costs rose 63.8% between the March and June quarters. Fuel purchasing volumes fell to levels not seen since 2021.
Discretionary spending faced headwinds, with accommodation and food services falling 3.8%. Transport, postal, and warehousing declined by 1.7%. The quarterly growth rate was the weakest among several key trading partners, including Australia and the United States.
Where reports differ
- One report identifies the conflict as the US-Iran war, while another refers to it as the Middle East conflict.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and Otago Daily Times.