Bay of Plenty Reclaims Top Spot in New Zealand Regional Economic Scoreboard, Canterbury Holds Second

The latest Regional Economic Scoreboard released by ASB Bank for the quarter ending March 2026 shows the Bay of Plenty region returning to the top of New Zealand’s 16‑region ranking. Canterbury sits in second place, followed by Otago in third. Auckland falls to fifth, while Wellington slips to 13th.

ASB’s scoreboard uses a mix of data points – employment, construction activity, house prices, retail trade and consumer confidence – to gauge how each region is performing. The report covers the three months that ended in March and compares the latest figures with the previous quarter and the same period a year earlier.

The Bay of Plenty’s rise is largely driven by strong job growth and solid gains in construction demand, retail spending and the housing market. Chief economist Nick Tuffley said the region’s performance reflects the strength of its primary sector and exports. A bumper kiwifruit season in 2025 and a strong start to 2026 have boosted export demand, while local employment has outpaced the national average.

Canterbury remains in a strong position, supported by its dairy industry, population growth, tourism and ongoing investment. Otago also performed well, with retail spending and tourism keeping the region in the top half of the rankings, although employment growth has softened compared with the previous quarter.

The report notes that five of the North Island’s eight regions now sit in the top half of the scoreboard, indicating a more balanced recovery across the island. ASB’s senior economist said that while the overall picture is improving, inflation remains high and global events – notably the Middle East conflict – could weigh on growth, cost pressures and consumer confidence in the short term. The bank forecasts 0.8 % GDP growth for the March quarter, with momentum expected to slow in the months that follow.

In short, the Bay of Plenty has reclaimed the top spot in the latest regional economic survey, while Canterbury and Otago continue to perform strongly. The North Island’s overall improvement is encouraging, but rising inflation and international tensions suggest that the pace of recovery may remain uneven across regions.