Business confidence is on the increase after seven months of declines.
ANZ Bank's monthly survey shows optimists outnumbered pessimists, with a net 27 percent of firms expecting economic conditions to improve in the coming year. Last month only 13 percent expected better times ahead.
Respondents remain upbeat about their prospects, at a net 38 percent.
However, expectations of profitability, and investment and employment intentions slipped slightly.
Export intentions edged up, due to the fall in the dollar.
An ANZ spokesperson said the survey indicated economic growth would remain solid despite lower dairy prices, with firms signalling they would hire and invest more amid low inflation.
The survey showed pricing and inflation intentions inched higher, although ANZ did not expect the Reserve Bank to resume raising interest rates until later next year.
