New Zealand wholesale trade rose in the final three months of 2011, led by an increase in machinery and equipment, after two little-changed quarters.
Total wholesale trade sales rose 2.5 percent to $20.4 billion, seasonally adjusted, according to Statistics New Zealand. The main contributors were a rise in machinery and equipment up 6.6 percent and grocery, liquor and tobacco product wholesaling rising 4.2 percent.
The trend remains at a near historically high level, with wholesale trade sales showing little change over the past two quarters following seven quarters of growth.
Of the six units measured, other goods wholesaling led the decline down 3.1 percent, followed by motor vehicle and parts wholesaling sliding 2.1 percent. Commission-based wholesaling fell 2.4 percent.
Basic material wholesaling rose 0.3 percent.
