It’s getting harder to find optimism among Auckland’s businesses, and it’s a trend that’s also being felt by many Coasties.

The latest Auckland Business Chamber confidence survey reveals that tough conditions continue to weigh on local businesses, with most sentiment indicators worsening.

Key Findings:

• Business Confidence: 47% of businesses report negative sentiment—up from 44%.
• Economic Outlook: 38% expect New Zealand’s economy to improve, down from 44%.
• Business Performance: 50% say they’re underperforming against expectations, rising from 45%.
• Revenue Woes: Nearly half (49%) report a drop in revenue over the past year.
• Rising Costs: 78% expect costs to climb in the next 12 months, up from 76%.

Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, didn’t mince words about the challenges.

“After a terrible and prolonged period, businesspeople were hoping for better days by now… But the reality is they don’t see that yet.”

One of the standout concerns is the rising importance of international trade and geopolitical risks, which jumped from 27% to 42%.

Bridges attributes some of this to the “Trump effect,” as global tensions influence local business confidence.

But for many local business owners on the Hibiscus Coast, it’s the combination of sluggish sales, rising costs, and ongoing uncertainty that really stings.

Still, there’s always a sense of resilience here—Coasties have weathered tough times before and know how to adapt.

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