Activity in the manufacturing sector perked up at the start of the year, a bank survey shows.
The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index rose 4.5 points to 55.6 in January, when compared with December.
A reading of more than 50 indicates expansion.
All areas, such as production, employment and new orders, made gains.
Despite that, the mood in the manufacturing sector was gloomier.
The proportion of positive comments fell last month because of a usual seasonal slowdown over Christmas and the New Year, along with political uncertainty.
