Statistics New Zealand said the volume of manufacturing in New Zealand was up a seasonally adjusted 0.7% QoQ in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the previous three months, after rising 1.3% in Q4 2011. The value of manufacturing activity dropped a quarterly 1.8% after adding 1.2% in the previous three months.

Mr Blair Cardno industry and labor statistics manager said that "The main contributor to this quarter's increase was the metal product manufacturing industry. However, despite a 0.7% increase, this industry is still trending below levels of three to four years ago."

By volume, total manufacturing rose 0.7%, while meat and dairy product manufacturing fell 0.9% and metal product manufacturing added 7%.

By value, meat and dairy product manufacturing fell 9.1% and metal product manufacturing rose 6.1%.

Source - RTT News

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