Manufacturing activity has perked up to its best level in three months.
The BNZ-Business Performance of Manufacturing Index rose a seasonally adjusted 1.8 points in April to 56.5.
That is the highest reading since January, and a rebound from the six month low in March.
A reading over 50 indicates expansion.
All sub-indices improved but the strongest gains were for production and deliveries.
BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said the rise points to solid economic growth over the rest of the year.