An industry group says investment intentions are a good indicator of business confidence. Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro
Two-thirds of businesses are planning to invest more this year, with only a quarter expecting to invest less.
BusinessNZ's 2025 Business Sentiment Survey of 130 businesses indicated 68 percent intended to spend the same or more capital as last year, which compared with 61 percent in the 2024 survey.
BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich said investment intentions were a good indicator of business confidence and the 2025 results pointed to a gradual improvement in the economy.
The survey also indentified the top business concern as uncertainty stemming from reversals of government policies following elections.
"This differs from the top concerns in 2024, which were interest rates and profitability challenges," Rich said.
About a third of the survey respondents were exporting companies, with 73 percent confident or neutral about their firm's outlook, while 27 percent said they were not confident.
The survey also indicated 61 of businesses thought corporate tax was too high.
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