Otago tops economic table

Otago's economy grew at a faster rate than any other region in the June quarter, according to the latest National Bank regional trends survey.

Ten of the fourteen regions surveyed recorded a rise in economic activity during the quarter, with Otago overshadowing all other regions with a 3.5 per cent rise in economic activity.

Employment in the region lifted 1 per cent, compared with a 0.3 per cent decrease nationally, while the number of building permits increased nearly three-fold from March.

The number of house sales rose 11 per cent during the same period.

Canterbury and Auckland's economies matched the nationwide rate of increase of 0.4 per cent.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE