New Zealand Economy Slows More Than Expected Before Iran War Hit

New Zealand’s economic growth slowed sharply in the final three months of 2025, leaving it in a weaker position to absorb fallout from the spiraling conflict in the Middle East.

Gross domestic product advanced 0.2% in the fourth quarter after it grew a downwardly revised 0.9% in the preceding three months, Statistics New Zealand said Thursday in Wellington. Economists expected a 0.5% expansion.