Auckland and Canterbury lead regional GDP increase

Auckland and Canterbury lead regional GDP increase

28 March 2014

In the year ended March 2013, Auckland and Canterbury had the largest (nominal value) increases in gross domestic product (GDP) by region, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Regional GDP figures showed the largest increases were in Canterbury (6.0 percent), Auckland (3.3 percent), Wellington (1.5 percent), and Otago (1.5 percent). The national increase was 2.0 percent.

Decreases were recorded in eight of 15 regions as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices and the 2012/13 drought, which was the worst since 1946. The West Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne showed the largest decreases.

“Canterbury's increase was led by the Christchurch rebuild with the construction industry the leading contributor,” regional economic statistics manager Peter Gardiner said.

Taranaki recorded the highest GDP per capita at $74,341, followed by Wellington ($57,941) and Southland ($52,701). Gisborne had the lowest GDP per capita ($34,472). The national average was $47,532.

“The high average figure for Taranaki is largely due to the contribution of oil and gas operations and to a lesser extent dairy farming,” Mr Gardiner said.

New Zealand’s total GDP was $211.6 billion in the year ended March 2013. The North Island contributed 76.7 percent to New Zealand’s GDP, compared with 23.3 percent from the South Island.

Auckland’s contribution to national GDP in the year ended March 2013 was 35.3 percent. Wellington contributed 13.5 percent with Canterbury narrowly behind at 13.2 percent. The smallest contribution was from the West Coast (0.7 percent).

New Zealand's regional economies 2013 visually presents the key measures of the 15 regional economies.
For more information about these statistics:
• Visit Regional Gross Domestic Product: Year ended March 2013
• Visit New Zealand's regional economies 2013 – infographic
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