Media release
17 December 2004
Christmas build-up boosts manufacturing
The PMI showed its usual spike of activity in November, with manufacturers gearing up for the Christmas/New Year season.
The latest ANZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) recorded a value of 65.9 (a PMI reading above 50
points indicates expansion and below 50 indicates decline). Strong expansionary levels for November are typical because
of increased activity for the Christmas period, but this was the highest monthly value since the survey began. Business
NZ Chief Executive Phil O'Reilly said the data is not seasonally adjusted, so a November 'spike' was to be expected.
New orders (69.8) and production (69.5) were the highest of the main diffusion index values, while deliveries (66.9) and
finished stocks (59.3) recorded their highest values since the survey began. All regions recorded expansion. The
Northern and Otago/Southland regions had similar levels of expansion (68.0 and 67.9 respectively), followed by the
Central region (62.2) and Canterbury/Westland (61.0).
Manufacturers' comments indicate the high New Zealand dollar is still hampering activity (despite cheaper capital
imports), while improved weather conditions have been positive for some manufacturers.
Mr O'Reilly said the high dollar was prompting some manufacturers to purchase cheaper capital equipment from overseas,
indicating a positive move towards more elaborately transformed manufacturing.
ENDS