A gauge of manufacturing activity continues to point to moderate expansion.
The BNZ-Business New Zealand performance of manufacturing index (PMI) was 53 last month, 0.4 points lower than in June but marginally above its long-term average since the survey began in 2002. Any level above 50 indicates the sector is generally expanding.
"While we have experienced 15 months of strong expansion prior to April, recent results show that the sector is still clearly in positive territory," said Business NZ's executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard.
"In addition, comments from respondents still remain on the upbeat side."
Among the sub-indices, new orders led the way at 55, up from 52.2 in June, but production at 54 was down 1.9 points to its lowest level since March last year.