Growth in regions

The economies of eight regions grew during the first three months of the year while those of six declined, a National Bank survey shows.

It found Otago led the way in the growth stakes with 1.5 per cent growth for the quarter followed by Manawatu-Wanganui with 1.3 per cent. Bay of Plenty trailed the field with a 1.1 per cent fall.

Auckland, up 0.6 per cent for the quarter and 0.5 per cent for the year, had 2 per cent quarterly growth in employment, nearly twice the national average.