New Zealand's gross domestic product collected 0.2 percent in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the previous three months, Statistics New Zealand said on Thursday.
That was in line with expectations, but down from the upwardly revised 0.4 percent growth in the first quarter (originally called 0.3 percent).
The major drought that occurred in the first half of the year was blamed for the slowing growth, the bureau said.
"The drought early this year influenced falls in agriculture and manufacturing this quarter, but this was balanced by strong growth in the service industries," acting national accounts manager Steffi Schuster said.
By category, the industries with the largest contributions to growth this quarter were: business services (up 2.6 percent), led by architectural and engineering services; and retail trade and accommodation (up 2.1 percent), led by furniture, department store, food, and clothing retailing.
These increases were partly offset by declines in agriculture (down 6.4 percent), driven by a large fall in dairy farming. Agriculture has now fallen 10.4 percent since it peaked in the December 2012 quarter, as low rainfall has reduced production.
Food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing was down 3.8 percent, mainly due to a decrease in meat and dairy product manufacturing. Total manufacturing was down 0.1 percent.
The expenditure measure of GDP was up 0.1 percent on quarter, driven by volume of spending by households (up 1.5 percent), mainly due to increased spending on durables such as televisions, clothing, and furniture.
Also, investment in fixed assets were up 3.8 percent, mainly due to increased construction of infrastructure, the bureau said - while exports of goods and services fell 5.9 percent, driven by a fall of dairy exports.
On a yearly basis, GDP jumped 2.7 percent versus forecasts for a gain of 2.3 percent following the 2.4 percent increase in the previous three months.
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