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Auckland's Economy Grows 0.1% as Retail Spending Climbs Cautiously
Latest figures show the city's real GDP edging up 0.1 percent while retail spending climbs, reflecting a cautious recovery pattern seen in many major centres.
How we reported this
Auckland's real GDP rose 0.1 percent for the year ended December 2025, with real retail sales increasing 0.4 percent over the same period. These results mark slow growth below pre-COVID patterns yet signal early stabilisation in household spending.
The figures matter because Auckland accounts for 38 percent of New Zealand's economic output and has consistently outpaced the rest of the country in GDP and employment growth over the last 15 years due to its diverse, high-value services economy. Any sustained lift here influences national performance and shapes local decisions on housing, transport and business investment.
Regional Scale and Per-Person Output
As of March 2024 Auckland's regional GDP stood at $160 billion. GDP per person reached $88,400, above the national average of $78,200. These measures underscore the city's weight within the wider economy and the contribution of its services base to ongoing employment resilience.
Housing Costs and Retail Spending
The median house price in Auckland was $1,005,000 in May 2026, while the average weekly rent was $675 in April 2026. Retail spending reached $12.96 billion in the December 2025 quarter, up 4.9 percent annually. These indicators point to continued demand for housing and goods even as household and business confidence remains measured.
Compared with similar large cities globally that have reported subdued or flat activity in the same period, Auckland's combination of tiny positive GDP growth and rising retail turnover shows a contained slowdown rather than contraction. The pattern aligns with the city's established lead over the rest of New Zealand and suggests the services economy continues to buffer external pressures.
Next Steps for Residents and Businesses
Households and firms can track quarterly updates from Auckland Council and Knowledge Auckland for further releases on spending and output. Monitoring these releases helps inform decisions on spending, hiring and property plans without relying on unverified forecasts.