Mike Bain/cvnznews.com
New Zealand’s regional business network is delivering its most upbeat reading in years, with Chambers of Commerce across the country reporting a surge in confidence that would have been unthinkable even 18 months ago. The second NZ Chambers of Commerce Regional Business Conditions Survey — taken across April and May 2026 — paints a picture of a business community that has rediscovered its momentum, its ambition, and in many regions, its swagger.
Confidence rated “high” or “very high” has tripled, leaping from 10% to 30%. The number of regions where businesses are actively expanding has more than doubled, rising from 11% to 26%. And more than half of CEOs — 52% — say their revenue has increased over the past six months. For a country that has weathered a pandemic, inflation shocks, and global trade turbulence, these are not just green shoots. They are green branches.
Even the national mood has steadied. A remarkable 76% of CEOs now rate New Zealand’s economic performance as “moderate” — a sharp rise from 58% — signalling that the freefall of previous years has finally stabilised.
Yes, global instability has cast a shadow. The Iran conflict has jolted sentiment and pushed some businesses back into “wait and see” mode. But the underlying story is one of resilience and reinvention. Regions like Canterbury, Southland and Queenstown are powering ahead on the back of strong agriculture, manufacturing and record‑breaking tourism. Export demand is rising. Technology and AI are no longer fringe tools but mainstream productivity engines. And geothermal energy — once a niche — is emerging as a genuine anchor sector in the Waikato.
Even the challenges tell a story of strength. Every CEO reports rising operating costs, yet businesses are still expanding, still hiring, still investing. Skills shortages are sharpening, but they are sharpening around growth industries: engineering, trades, healthcare, geothermal, advanced manufacturing.
And while the upcoming general election adds a layer of uncertainty, CEOs are clear about what comes next: infrastructure, skills, and a government willing to back regional growth.
Against a backdrop of global volatility, New Zealand’s regions are proving something unmistakable — the recovery is real, it is broadening, and despite the headwinds, Kiwi businesses are pushing forward with unmistakable confidence.
KEY SHIFTS: AUGUST 2025 TO APRIL-MAY 2026
| Indicator | Aug 2025 | April-May 2026 | Direction |
| Confidence high or very high | ~10% | 30% | Improving |
| Regions reporting business expansion | 11% | 26% | Improving |
| Revenue increased (past 6m) | 42% | 52% | Improving |
| Revenue expected to increase (next 6m) | 53% | 32% | Softened |
| NZ economy rated moderate | 58% | 76% | More stable |
| Operating costs increased | ~70% | 100% | Worsening |
| Primary external concern | US trade policy | US/Iran conflict and fuel costs | Shifted |
| Energy costs as acute pressure | Moderate | Crisis level across multiple regions | Worsening |
| Infrastructure as top govt ask | 89% | 82% | Consistent |
| AI named explicitly by regions | Rare | Multiple regions with named examples | Emerging |
