17 Jan 2018

Freight activity keeps on truckin'

7:25 pm on 17 January 2018

A truck survey that gives indications about the health of the economy has fallen.

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Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal.

ANZ Bank's truckometer index measures the level of activity on the roads to gauge the current and forward-looking prospects for New Zealand.

The index fell in December when compared with November, but still remains high.

Chief economist Sharon Zollner said the monthly fall suggested economic growth could be slightly softer in the first few months of the year.

"Political uncertainty, a cooling housing market, tighter credit availability and transitioning growth drivers could cause a growth hiccup in the near term."

The economy still had plenty of momentum and December quarter economic growth should be strong, she said.