Confident mood on rise across district

Confidence among local businesses and the general public is on the up, according to the latest Rotorua and national business and consumer confidence surveys.

The Rotorua Business and Public (Consumer) Confidence Survey is conducted by APR Consultants every six months for Rotorua District Council, while national business confidence survey information is provided by ANZ Bank.

Council economic & regulatory services group manager Mark Rawson said the new report outlined the results of business and public confidence surveys undertaken across Rotorua district in December last year, and provides a comparison with previous surveys undertaken since December 2008.

"We're pleased to see that Rotorua business and public indexes are both showing increased confidence, which is in line with national results.

"Over the next 12 months local businesses are also forecasting an increase in profits, according to the survey.

"Rotorua businesses and consumers both expect business and economic activity to increase and local business conditions to improve," he said.

"Householders are reporting expectations of increased personal income, while businesses are now planning to invest more in their businesses and to boost promotional budgets."

Mr Rawson said survey results also revealed that while Rotorua businesses were planning to recruit more staff they expected local unemployment to remain around December 2013 levels.

However, householders think unemployment could increase, and expect prices to move up and interest rates to rise.

Businesses involved in exporting are showing confidence that export levels will increase while local construction businesses expect residential and commercial construction volumes to exceed December 2013 levels.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said she was pleased overall confidence levels for Rotorua businesses and households were trending high, and offered encouraging signs for the local economy.

"I'm sure these confidence levels will gather momentum as the council works together with businesses and communities on our new and sustainable journey towards a more prosperous future for our district.

"It's early days yet but if these increased levels of confidence are sustained they will provide a very good platform for our Rotorua 2030 vision and goals, and for achieving the key priorities that we want to substantially progress by the end of our current term in 2016. These priorities are around developing a vibrant inner city; building our economic base; supporting residential renewal and creating healthy homes; and providing sustainable infrastructure and effective council services."

The full report can be viewed on www.rotoruaNZ.com. Click on 'do business' then 'tool kit'.