New Zealand tumbles down business confidence ranks

New Zealand has fallen from near top spot to second-to-last. Photo / File

New Zealand has tumbled down the OECD business confidence rankings to the second lowest among countries in the developed world.

Two years ago New Zealand was the third highest in the OECD, but now everyone except South Korea is above New Zealand.

In June 2016 the total business confidence for the OECD was 100.08 and New Zealand rated at 100.93, the third highest.

New Zealand slipped below the OECD total in August 2017, when the total was 101.23 and New Zealand rated at 100.94.

In June 2018 the total was 101.23 and New Zealand rated at 99.54.

Amy Adams, National finance spokesperson, said it was a shocking revelation given New Zealand has typically been a haven of political and economic stability.

"Given the high level of political uncertainty around the world it is a shocking revelation that New Zealand – typically a haven of political and economic stability – has the second lowest level of business confidence in the OECD," Adams said.

Adams called the fall a damning reflection of the current Labour Government's economic management.

"To have fallen so far in such a short space of time is a damning reflection of this Government's economic management," Adams said.

"It is clear the Government's low-growth policies are having a major impact, and are driving New Zealand's appallingly low business confidence – though the Government is still refusing to acknowledge that."

The business confidence index (BCI) is based on enterprises' assessment of production, orders and stocks, as well as its current position and expectations for the immediate future. Opinions compared to a "normal" state are collected and the difference between positive and negative answers provides a qualitative index on economic conditions.