Manufacturing and construction are showing signs of recovery.
ANZ's latest Business Outlook survey finds confidence rose 19 points over the last month, to 56%.
In terms of past activity, manufacturing was highest, while agriculture saw a marked fall and construction lifted.
ASB acting chief economist Kim Mundy told Andrew Dickens the construction sector has been struggling for some time, so this is welcome news.
She says it's good to see the rise in residential consents transfer into activity.
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