18 Sep 2014

Heftier pay rises on the way - English

8:32 pm on 18 September 2014

Finance Minister Bill English says the growing economy is set to deliver heftier pay rises to workers.

Finance Minister Bill English.

Finance Minister Bill English has argued workers will benefit from a growing economy. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

The pace of economic activity eased to 0.7 percent in the three months to June due to slumping dairy prices and rising interest rates.

Unions argue workers are in danger of missing out, getting little in pay rises, if at all.

But Mr English said growth would remain robust, and workers would increasingly benefit.

"What we are seeing though are the developing conditions for sustainable growth. Relatively - interest rates going to be a bit lower than people might have expected, the exchange rate drifting off, pretty good solid business confidence and growing business investrment.

"That's how we'll deliver higher incomes consistently year after year."

Analysts have said growth will now become increasingly reliant on construction and related industries as commodity prices weaken further.

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