Do the numbers reflect the whole economy?
No. The productivity numbers produced by Statistics NZ are for the measured sector, which represents 24 of New Zealand’s industries. In 2007, the measured sector covered approximately 80 percent of the economy in terms of current price GDP. Table 3 summarises the industries that are covered and excluded from the current measured sector.
Table 3
Productivity industry coverage(1) |
| Measured sector industries |
Omitted industries |
| AA Agriculture |
LB Ownership of owner-occupied dwellings |
| AB Forestry and fishing |
MA Government administration and defence |
| BA Mining |
NA Education |
| CA Food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing |
OA Health and community services |
| CB Textile and apparel manufacturing |
|
| CC Wood and paper products manufacturing |
| CD Printing, publishing, and recorded media |
| CE Petroleum, chemical, plastic, and rubber products manufacturing |
| CF Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing |
| CG Metal products manufacturing |
| CH Machinery and equipment manufacturing |
| CI Furniture and other manufacturing |
| DA Electricity, gas, and water supply |
| EA Construction |
| FA Wholesale trade |
| GA Retail trade |
| HA Accommodation, cafes, and restaurants |
| IA Transport and storage |
| JA Communication services |
| KA Finance and insurance |
| LA Property services(2) |
| LC Business services(2) |
| PA Cultural and recreational services |
QA Personal and other community services(2) |
1. Based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 1996 (ANZSIC96).
2. Included from March 1996 onwards in the measured sector. |
Why can't I find a productivity measure for the total economy?
The outputs of general government, non-profit institutions, and paid employees of private households are assumed to be based on the incomes of input factors (known as the ‘output=input’ approach). This approach leads to negligible productivity change because the growth in output will be identical, or similar to, the growth in input. The 'output=input' approach does not result in a true measure of productivity. For more information on measuring government productivity, see Measuring government sector productivity in New Zealand: A feasibility study, which was released by Statistics NZ in March 2010. Statistics NZ also excludes the value of owner-occupied dwellings because this sector lacks a measure of labour input.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) however, does produce a total economy measure for New Zealand.
Why do you have only annual data?
The main reason is that capital input data is only available on an annual basis, and this is not expected to change.
The output data and labour input data are both available on a quarterly basis. However, Statistics NZ does not intend to publish a quarterly labour productivity measure because there is currently no demand for it. Productivity is best analysed over longer timeframes (such as cycles), and there may be substantial revisions to quarterly figures.
Why is the annual data based on a March year, rather than a December year?
This is consistent with the annual National Accounts. Both the output measure and capital input measure are based on a March year, so that is the only option for the productivity estimates.
Can you compile a time series that goes back further than 1978?
Statistics NZ is aware that users want a time series that is as long as possible. However, due to the lack of both accurate labour input data and output data in volume terms before 1978, Statistics NZ will not be extending the time series back any further.
Are industry productivity measures available for separate regions and cities in New Zealand?
No. Productivity measures are only available at the national level. The data sources used to calculate productivity do not provide the information Statistics NZ would need to construct regional measures.
Why do you revise your data?
The productivity estimates draw on data from a range of sources. For the output measure, GDP data is used. The labour input series uses Linked Employer-Employee Data (LEED) and HLFS data, among other labour surveys. Revisions to any of these data may affect productivity estimates.