23 December 2008
Economy declines for third consecutive quarter
Economic activity, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), declined 0.4 percent in the September 2008 quarter,
Statistics New Zealand said today. This followed decreases of 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent in the March and June 2008
quarters, respectively. On an annual basis, economic activity increased 1.7 percent in the year to September 2008.
From an industry perspective, primary industries were up 2.1 percent in the September 2008 quarter, while
goods-producing industries and services declined. The increase in primary industries was mainly due to agriculture (up
6.0 percent). Dairy production and cattle processed for meat were the main drivers within the agriculture industry.
Goods-producing industries declined 1.4 percent this quarter, mainly driven by manufacturing (down 2.5 percent) and
construction (down 1.2 percent). Eight out of the nine manufacturing groups declined, with food, beverage and tobacco
manufacturing showing the largest decrease. Service industries were down 0.2 percent in the September 2008 quarter, with
the transport and communication, wholesale trade, and retail trade industries making the largest downward contributions.
The expenditure measure of GDP, which is released concurrently with the production measure, was down 0.7 percent in the
September 2008 quarter. Household consumption expenditure, which measures the volume of goods and services purchased by
New Zealand households, was down 0.2 percent – its third consecutive quarter of decline. Household spending was down for
non-durables (which includes food and beverages) and services. Spending on durables (which includes furniture and
household appliances) was up this quarter.
Gross fixed capital formation, which measures investment in fixed capital, was down 8.6 percent in the September 2008
quarter. The main driver of this decline was investment in plant machinery and equipment, down 15.6 percent. Other large
declines were for investment in residential buildings (down 7.7 percent) and transport equipment (down 18.2 percent).
Exports of goods were down 2.6 percent in the September 2008 quarter, with exports of agriculture and fishing primary
products and dairy products showing the largest falls. Imports of goods were down 6.6 percent, with imports of machinery
and plant the main contributor to the decline.
Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
23 December 2008
ENDS