Activity in the manufacturing sector continues to expand, with the average pace of activity in 2016 ahead of the year before.
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The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index was at 54.5 points in December - the same as November's activity. A reading over 50 indicates expansion.
While the last two months of the year were weaker than the rest, the manufacturing sector still averaged 56 points over the year, up from 54.2 points in 2015.
The last survey of the year also indicated manufacturers are more upbeat, despite softer orders.
BNZ economist Doug Steel said a net 23 percent of manufacturers expected better economic conditions over the first six months of the year, compared to a net 4 percent in the previous survey.
"It's a decent lift and sets confidence well above long-term norms, of minus 6 [percent]," he said.
"We expect solid economic growth ahead, albeit with some slowing in the second half of 2017 and into 2018."
