After enduring its worst six-month downturn in more than three decades - COVID lockdowns excluded - in Q2 and Q3 last year, the Kiwi economy has showed signs of life.
However, the above-expectations bump doesn't make up for the scale of the losses, 2.2 per cent, in the middle six months of last year.
In total, New Zealand's economy shrank by 0.5 per cent in the calendar year 2024.
Stats NZ spokeswoman Katrina Dewbery said 11 of their 16 industry categories grew in the last quarter, led by housing, retail trade and accommodation.
"Higher spending by international visitors led to increased activity in tourism-related industries such as accommodation, restaurants and bars, transport, and vehicle hiring," Ms Dewbery said.
Falls came in construction, information media and telecommunications sectors.
Construction fell by 3.1 per cent in the quarter, and 7.3 per cent for the year.
The overall 0.7 per cent quarter increase was ahead of industry expectations, with the Reserve Bank tipping 0.3 per cent growth.
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