Activity in the services sector expanded at a slower rate in May.
The Business New Zealand Performance of Service Index stood at 53.3 in May, down 0.6 points from April.
The index has eased in the last two months, but remains above 50, which indicates the sector is expanding.
BNZ economist Doug Steel says the results tie in with recent electronic card data that indicate consumers remain cautious about spending.
Mr Steel says the weather may also have dampened activity in the sector, in particular for businesses providing accommodation.
Overall the sector is still expanding, he says.
Activity, sales, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries and inventory all grew during the month.
