Eleven regions had economic growth in the September quarter, two were flat and Taranaki slipped back after a strong spurt, according to the latest National Bank survey.
Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury grew fastest in the three months, up 1.2 per cent each - a healthy annual rate of 4.8 per cent.
Taranaki
was down almost 1 per cent, after a big rise in the June quarter.
Finance Minister Michael Cullen said the survey was evidence that the economy was well placed to weather the impact of a global slowdown, with growth across most regions and nationwide growth for the year of 3.4 per cent.
"As a trading nation, New Zealand can not help but be affected by a deterioration in the international outlook," Dr Cullen said.
A strong start to next year would give the economy "the resilience to cope with the downturn", he said.
For the first time in more than a year the main centres grew faster than the rural-based regions, indicating some flow through to the cities from the export boom.
Economic growth in the South Island reached a six-year high of 4.5 per cent, while in the North Island growth rose 3.1 per cent.
Activity in Wellington was unchanged in the quarter.
Also in the survey:
* Business confidence rose everywhere except Northland, but was topped by Taranaki for the third consecutive quarter;
* Consumer confidence was highest in Southland for the fourth successive quarter, and Waikato and Bay of Plenty recorded the largest declines;
* House sales grew fastest on the West Coast and Gisborne had the largest fall in house sales;
* Commercial building permits rose the fastest in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay and Northland recorded the largest decline;
* Employment growth was strongest in Otago and Southland; unemployment had the largest rise in Nelson-Marlborough/West Coast;
* Retail sales rose fastest in Northland and Manawatu-Wanganui, and the West Coast had the largest fall.
- NZPA
