The manufacturing sector is showing signs of rebounding, after a dire few years.
The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index showed activity in the sector picked up in the final three months of last year.
In addition, a recent Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion suggested manufacturing companies' profits are climbing, after a weak patch.
Export New Zealand executive director Catherine Beard says the figures show the sector will begin the year on a firmer footing.
But Ms Beard says the main challenge will be the economy, and whether people continue to curb their spending and pay back debt instead.