The services side of the economy is steadily expanding at a healthy pace.
The Bank of New Zealand-Business New Zealand Performance of Service Index stood at 56.2 points in May, unchanged from the April result.
A reading above 50 shows the services sector is expanding.
BNZ economist Craig Ebert said the index has enjoyed its best three-month stretch since 2007.
He said the fact the index has been relatively stable at such a robust level is a positive sign.
"It's fairly widespread and the thing we noted most of all is the pick up in the employment index - that had slowed a little bit the previous month."
Unlike some other economic indicators, Mr Ebert said the index's strength is not being driven by the Canterbury rebuild.