Salary and wage rates, including overtime, grew 1.7 per cent in the year to the December quarter, says Statistics New Zealand.

Building consent figures fell sharply in December, with one economist saying they probably cannot get any worse.

Retail sales rose a 1.5 per cent or $82 million in November from October, boosted by rises to vehicle and fuel sales, Statistics New Zealand says.

Guest nights in short term commercial accommodation rose 2pc in November, as a big rise in domestic nights in Auckland more than overcame an overall fall in international nights.

Exports were up 19 per cent in November with the annual trade balance for that month a surplus of $1.3 billion - the first since 2001.

Electronic card transactions at retailers rose 1.1pc in November, after climbing 1.2pc in the previous month, says new data out today.

NZ posted a smaller-than-expected trade deficit in October as the nation lifted exports, led by a surge in shipments of dairy and logs.

More Kiwis left to live permanently overseas in October than in any month since January 2009.

All NZ regions had more births than deaths in the past year, with Auckland contributing 45 per cent of NZ's natural increase.