Waikato economic confidence grows, consumer confidence fallsKIRK HARGREAVES/ STUFF A net 24 per cent, up from 18 per cent last quarter, of Waikato households expect the region’s economy to strengthen over the coming year, according to the Westpac-McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey for the March 2018 quarter. The international sevens rugby tournament, strong construction activity, high employment and a rise in dairy prices may have reflected the economic confidence, Westpac Chief Economist Dominick​ Stephens said. STUFF Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven said the 15 cent lift in the milk price was a "pleasant surprise" for farmers and could have contributed to their economic confidence. The data comes from the March quarter Westpac-McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey and the Consumer Confidence Index. With consumer confidence, the region fell to 107 this quarter compared to 111 in the previous quarter - one of only two regions to drop.

Source: Stuff March 26, 2018 02:36 UTC