ASB economist Jane Turner says manufacturing sales are likely to be subdued for some time as the economy recovers gradually.
Statistics New Zealand says manufacturing volumes fell a seasonally adjusted 1.4% in the three months to September, led by lower production in the dairy and meat sectors.
If dairy and meat sales are excluded, manufacturing rose 1% - the first time in seven quarters.
Ms Turner says manufacturing exporters will benefit from the buoyant Australian economy, but overall, the figures indicate a slow recovery.
