Summarised by Centrist
Stats NZ has delivered a run of unexpectedly positive data across housing, exports and retail, a sign the economy may finally be stabilising after two years of strain.
New home consents rose 6.2 percent in the year to October, driven almost entirely by townhouses, flats and apartments. Higher-density homes accounted for nearly 18,000 consents, with Auckland producing half the national lift.
October alone saw a 23.5 percent jump in consents compared with the same month last year. The underlying trend has been rising since late 2024.
Exports also hit a milestone, with total meat exports reaching $10 billion for the first time. The increase was led by sheep meat and beef, both boosted by stronger prices. Total annual exports jumped $9.8 billion to $79.4 billion.
Retail activity climbed 1.9 percent in the September quarter, the biggest quarterly gain since 2021. Motor vehicles, electronics, and hardware led the rise, with 14 of 16 regions posting higher sales.
Taken together, the data points to an economy showing signs of renewed momentum: building is up, exporters are earning more, and consumers are starting to spend again. Whether this becomes a sustained recovery will depend on inflation, interest rates, and whether policy settings support continued growth.
