The latest figures show that the New Zealand manufacturing is continuing to improve.
As reported in stuff.co.nz, the performance of manufacturing index (PMI) for April rose 1.1 points on a seasonally adjusted basis to 54.5 in April. This result follows improvements that started at the beginning of the year.
A PMI reading above 50 suggests an expanding manufacturing sector, while a reading below 50 suggests a contracting manufacturing sector.
The PMI of 54.5 compares favourably with the figure of 47.1 recorded in the same month last year.
The gain was driven by increased demand for New Zealand-produced goods, with new-order activity coming in at 59.4 for the month, the highest level in over a year.
"Perhaps the biggest positive in the latest PMI came from the fact new orders, way up at 59.4, met with dipping stocks," BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert said.
Meanwhile, in further good news for the New Zealand manufacturing sector, adelaidenow reports that the low kiwi dollar has boosted NZ exporters on the local stock exchange.
Trading at 82 US cents today (Friday), the kiwi dollar is now at a two-month low and the NZX 50 Index edged up 0.5 per cent, or 0.01 per cent, to 4646.32 on Wednesday.
Within the index, 25 stocks rose, 20 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was $161 million.
The future of New Zealand's manufacturing is currently being debated. Earlier this year, there was a parliamentary inquiry into the sector.