New Zealand Business Demographic Statistics

New Zealand Business Demographic Statistics: At February 2005

Business Numbers Continue to Rise

The number of non-farming businesses increased 3.1 percent (to 334,340) in February 2005 compared with February 2004, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Business numbers

There were 334,340 New Zealand businesses in February 2005. This is an increase of 3.1 percent from February 2004, following a 9.9 percent increase in the previous year.

The boost in business numbers came from property and business services (up 3,970), followed by construction (up 2,680).

Property and business services was the industry with the largest number of businesses, representing over a third of all enterprises in New Zealand.

The manufacturing sector was the largest employer, with approximately 268,200 employees in February 2005.

New Zealand businesses had 1.73 million employees in February 2005. Business size
Almost two-thirds of the total growth in business numbers in February 2005, compared with 2004, was in enterprises with one to five employees.

Ninety-six percent of non-farming businesses had fewer than 20 employees, but in total this group accounted for less than a third of all New Zealand employees.

Less than 1 percent of enterprises in New Zealand had 100 or more employees, but this group accounted for 47 percent of all employees in New Zealand.

Regional statistics

Business numbers increased in all regional council areas in February 2005 compared with February 2004.

Thirty-five percent of business locations in New Zealand were in the Auckland region in February 2005. Forty-one percent (150,540) of non-farming businesses in New Zealand were located in the rest of the North Island.

The number of business locations in the South Island increased by 3,230 (4 percent) in February 2005. 

Note: This information comes from Statistics New Zealand's Business Frame. It excludes businesses engaged in farming, and generally excludes businesses whose GST turnover is less than $30,000 per year.

The term 'business' includes enterprises which may be a company, partnership, trust, estate, incorporated society, producer board, local or central government organisation, voluntary organisation or self-employed individual.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

ENDS

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – New Zealand Business Demographic Statistics: At February 2005 .

© Scoop Media