New Zealand’s manufacturing sector showed a sharp acceleration in activity in June, with the Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) climbing to 59.7, up from 49.9 in May 2026. The latest reading, updated on 8 July 2026, signals a strong expansion after the index had been hovering just below the 50-point threshold that separates contraction from growth.
The move from 49.9 in May to 59.7 in June represents a notable turnaround in momentum for the sector, suggesting a broad-based improvement in conditions. While details behind the jump were not disclosed, the headline index now sits firmly in expansionary territory, pointing to a more optimistic backdrop for New Zealand’s manufacturing economy as the second half of 2026 begins.