Manufacturing appears to have recovered after falling late last year.
The fall in the dollar appears to have given manufacturing a boost, despite the general economic slowdown, a survey says.
The Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index stood at 58.2 in May, the highest level since December 2004.
A reading above 50 indicates manufacturing activity is expanding.
May is the fourth consecutive month in which manufacturing has grown after five months of declines.
Business NZ said: "After positive results for the previous three months, the May 2006 result shows a strong lift in activity, spurred on by strong levels for production and new orders.
"The lower value of the dollar has been seen as a positive result for most export-oriented manufacturers."
After rising above US74c early last year, the kiwi has dropped sharply, closing at US62.13c last night.
* Performance of Manufacturing Index
May: 58.2
April: 53.3
Dollar's dip good for manufacturers
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