Continued growth in income and sales in 2006

Total income for all New Zealand businesses as measured in the Annual Enterprise Survey increased to$492.2 billion for the 2006 financial year.

This is an increase of 6.5 percent ($29.9 billion) from the 2005financial year, but lower than the 8 percent increase seen in 2005.

Sales of goods and services increasedby 6.1 percent to $385.2 billion in 2006, following a 6 percent increase in 2005.

Total expenditure increased to $445 billion in 2006, up 6.2 percent. The two largest components ofexpenditure are purchases, and salaries and wages paid to employees.

Purchases and other operatingexpenditure increased 5 percent to $284.4 billion in 2006, after an increase of 6.7 percent in 2005.

Salariesand wages paid to employees increased by 7.4 percent to $67.7 billion, following an 8.1 percent increase in2005.

Surplus before income tax has increased to $53.1 billion in 2006, up $4.2 billion (8.6 percent) from the 2005financial year.

Other financial variables and economic ratios by industry are available in the accompanying Hot Off ThePress, and at a more detailed level on request.

The Annual Enterprise Survey is New Zealand's most comprehensive source of financial statistics,providing annual financial performance and financial position information about industry groups operatingwithin New Zealand.

Industries covered in the survey contribute approximately 90 percent of New Zealand'sgross domestic product.

Geoff BascandGovernment Statistician