Northlanders increasingly confident in the economy, not so their own finances

Northland Chamber of Commerce boss Tony Collins.

Northlanders might be tightening the purse strings despite increased optimism for the economic year ahead.

Westpac's McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey for the December quarter of 2017 was released last week and suggests that Northlanders do have confidence in their economy, but not so much in their own pocket.

Northlanders' net confidence for their regional economy grew from 17 per cent in the September quarter survey of 2017 to 18 per cent, anticipating a strong economic year ahead for the region.

Falling unemployment rates and strong construction, manufacturing and tourism sectors may be key contributors to Northlanders' new confidence for 2018.

Of New Zealand's eleven regions, six rose in confidence for their region's economy prosperity while five decreased.

Auckland was one of those regions whose net confidence decreased and it did so by a dramatic 24 per cent from a net confidence of 8 per cent in the September quarter to -16 per cent.

The survey also revealed that although Northlanders' confidence in the regional economy has grown, their confidence as consumers has declined along with eight other regions.

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) summarises households' expectations for their own financial situation - the benchmark being 100.

In the September quarter of 2017, Northlanders held a consumer confidence index of 110.2 which has now decreased to 108.4.

Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens suggested that although the agricultural and forestry sectors were performing well, a recent decline in lamb, beef and dairy prices may be starting to dampen households' optimism of the Northland economy.

"Economic confidence may also have been affected by a growing sense of unease over future government policy and how it might impact the agricultural sector in the region," Mr Stephens said.

Tony Collins from Northland Chamber of Commerce also credited the slight decrease in consumer confidence to last year's election and the uncertainty of new policies being introduced.

Mr Collins said it might be a matter of "letting the dust settle" as Northland's economy remains strong with unemployment rates continuing to drop.

"Northland's population is still growing and business confidence is still strong, even if it's not what it used to be."