Secretary Iain Rennie tells Economics Forum that fresh data reinforces the New Zealand economy has finally turned a corner.
But the deficit is still $1.7b higher than the same period a year earlier.
Report is due to be finalised in August and publicly released in September.
Despite the headline increase to 5.4%, market pundits reckon the labour market has solid prospects moving forward.
ANZ now expects a rate hike at the end of this year while market pricing indicates a chance of September move, after annual inflation came in at 3.1% today.
Electronic card spending fails to find festive cheer at the end of 2025, with an uncertain road ahead in election year.
New data gives economic recovery some extra credibility with inflation numbers just around the corner.
Dr Anna Breman had lent her support to under-fire US Federal Reserve counterpart Jerome Powell.
First major economic sniff test of 2026 reveals improving conditions and healthy outlook for year.
With the benefit of foresight, Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr looks back at monetary policy over the past year.