Manufacturers are facing a gloomy Christmas with the monthly BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index falling to its lowest level since June 2009.
The PMI fell nearly one point from October to 45.7. A reading below 50 indicates manufacturing activity is contracting.
It is only the third November that manufacturing has recorded a decline.
Manufacturing New Zealand executive director, Catherine Beard says the fall is a surprise as the industry had hoped October's decline was a one-off.
Four of the five seasonally adjusted indices declined, including production, new orders, deliveries and employment. Finished stocks was the only index that expanded.
But three of the four regions expanded, led by Otago/Southland, while the Central Region fell to its lowest level since April.
On the upside, food, beverage and tobacco subgroup continued to expand, along with petroleum, coal chemical and associated products.
