New Zealand’s GDP increased 1.6% in the first quarter of 2021 following a revised 1.0% contraction in the previous period and compared to market expectations of a 0.5% increase. The services industry, which represents about 2/3 of New Zealand’s economy, grew 1.1% after rising 0.2% in the previous quarter. Primary industry (0.3% vs -0.8%) and goods-producing industry (2.4% vs -3.1%). On an annual basis, GDP increased 2.4% after a 0.8% contraction. This stronger GDP data shows New Zealand has managed to avoid a second pandemic recession.
The first quarter of this year, previously expected to be a difficult quarter for the New Zealand economy as the tourism industry struggled during the global lockdown that deprived the country of visitors, coupled with a border lockdown that lasted nearly 2 weeks in Auckland.
However, the service industry, which represents about 2/3 of New Zealand’s economy, made the largest contribution to the current GDP results (Including construction services, heavy construction and civil engineering, and residential building construction). Construction rebounded 6.6% after falling 8.4% in the December 2020 quarter.
The construction industry has returned to activity levels close to the historically high volume of residential building works contributing to overall activity. Source : Statsnz
NZDUSD reverses 0.5% FOMC impact drop , after GDP report. But technically, the bears have been dominant. A break of the 0.7143 support strengthens the bearish position by targeting the immediate support and the psychological 0.7000 level and if strong will re-test the 0.6942 strong support level. A price move below 0.6942 would confirm a deeper correction to the 0.5467 rally that started in March last year. On the upside, as long as the 0.6942 support holds, further consolidation will continue below the 0.7143 resistance. Technical support for this asset can be seen from the price movement below KUMO which is in sync with the AO histogram bars on the sell side.