The National Bank Business Outlook for December shows a marginal drop in business expectations for the economic future despite recent disturbing economic headlines.
The survey of 1,500 businesses New Zealand-wide showed a net 17% of firms expecting better times ahead compared with 18% in November.
Seasonally adjusted, business confidence was unchanged on the previous month.
ANZ senior economist Sharon Zollner says that is not a bad result given everything going on around the world.
"New Zealanders aren't throwing in the towel and that's good to see."
Ms Zollner says confidence levels are above historic averages but the Reserve Bank isn't in any hurry to raise interest rates.
