Economic confidence is mixed around Otago, with businesses responding positively with some of their highest quarterly levels, while household confidence was the lowest across 14 regions.
The National Bank's regional trend survey for the quarter to September said nine of 14 regions recorded a lift in economic activity, while five were down; with Otago sitting midway in seventh ranking with 0.5% growth.
Canterbury, at 1.8% quarterly growth, and Auckland, at 1.2%, led the gainers while the Bay of Plenty (-0.8%) and Manawatu-Whangarei (-1%) were the largest decliners.
Otago for the quarter reported a 0.5% gain. It recorded a 0.8% year-on-year gain, as did Southland, but both were well behind the top rise of 2% in Auckland and the West Coast.
National Bank economist Steve Edwards said Otago business reported some of their highest levels of economic confidence for the September quarter; with guest nights up 10% before the Rugby World Cup and employment up to national levels at a 0.2% improvement.
"The Rugby World Cup has proved a mixed blessing, with limited financial spill-over.
Hospitality in the CBD has benefited, but the anticipated gains never eventuated in other areas," Mr Edwards said.
Otago households were less confident, with consumer confidence the lowest across all regions. House sales slipped by 7% in the September quarter.
