Against a mixed economic outlook and ongoing trading challenges, new data shows the performance of New Zealand’s mid-sized businesses has largely held steady in 2025. More improvement is also forecast heading into 2026, but with cautious attention on the global landscape.
Commissioned by MYOB, a survey of more than 500 leaders and decision makers of medium-sized businesses from around the country shows that 46% have seen revenue rise compared to this time a year ago, while 30% say it is about the same. However, a quarter of respondents report that revenue is down, underscoring that no business is immune from current pressures.
Looking ahead, prospects brighten with more business leaders expecting revenue to increase. Just over half (51%) of those polled expect to see revenue growth in the next 12 months, with 30% expecting their revenue will remain the same, and 18% anticipating a revenue drop.
MYOB chief executive Paul Robson says New Zealand’s mid-sized businesses continue to position themselves strongly to meet the market as economic dynamics shift.
“MYOB has been working closely with mid-sized companies for decades, and during that time we have witnessed the strength of their unique position in the broader business ecosystem,” Robson says.
“Their size affords them the ability to adapt and respond to challenges quickly, and they tend to be backed by team and capital resources that offer a sustainable level of resilience.
“As the slower-than-anticipated economic recovery generates mixed performance and sentiment in the market, leaders of New Zealand’s medium-sized businesses are balancing their operations with the challenge of these conditions, the cost of finance, and falling consumer confidence.
“That said, there are bright spots coming through that indicate gradual growth will continue, particularly in industries that have been hit the hardest. Almost two-thirds of manufacturers we polled, for example, have more work in the pipeline taking them through to the end of the calendar year, and the dial is also moving for construction and trades, with more than a third (37%) reporting more work in the pipeline,” Robson adds.
Monitoring and responding to global outlook
In addition to a strong national focus, decision makers in mid-sized organisations are closely monitoring the international landscape. Global financial and operational issues are seen as the challenges that could have the greatest potential impact on business over the next year, with 44% of respondents pointing to international banking and financial stability as their biggest concern.
This is followed closely by increased shipping and financial costs (43%), cargo or shipping route disruptions (41%), geopolitical tensions (33%), and foreign exchange risk (33%).
Choosing action over complacency, the survey highlights that these business operators are making strategic moves in response to changing global dynamics, to minimise the risk to their organisations and to safeguard performance.
In addition to adjusting contracts or agreements to allow for price variances (39%), local business operators are looking for new supply partners overseas (35%), locking in supply contract costs (35%), seeking out local suppliers (34%), and revisiting contracts with overseas suppliers (31%).
“A significant proportion of mid-sized businesses in New Zealand export their goods and services overseas. However, global developments — whether financial downturns or geopolitical tensions — can reverberate across the entire business landscape. The US tariffs are just one example of this,” Robson says.
“This is leading small and mid-sized businesses to place greater emphasis on developing local supply chains and expanding domestically. In fact, just under a quarter (24%) of mid-tier organisations we surveyed report that they are aiming to grow their presence in the local market as an alternative to exporting — a strategy that will bring opportunities and challenges.”
As they balance local and global risks alongside their growth aspirations, MYOB’s latest data shows that these businesses will continue to double down on intelligent technologies to help advance their agenda. In particular, AI is set to play a key role in strengthening customer relationships and sales channels, and optimising inventory and supply chain operations over the next 12 months.
“As these firms navigate uncertainty at home and abroad, what stands out most is their determination to keep moving forward. With a pragmatic eye on global risks, an openness to local opportunities, and a willingness to embrace new technology, New Zealand’s mid-sized businesses are showing that they have the resilience and ambition to not just withstand challenges, but to shape their own path to growth,” Robson says.
About the research:
These insights are from MYOB’s latest survey polling a representative sample of 532 leaders and decision-makers in mid-sized businesses (*with between 20-500 FTEs and $5m+ annual revenue) in New Zealand.
The survey took place from August 13 to September 2, 2025, and was conducted by independent research agency, Dynata. Respondents were sampled randomly from the Dynata online panel and screened to ensure they met the qualifying criteria.
Quotas were maintained on industry sector and business size/FTEs to ensure a reliable and diverse cross-section of business opinions from mid-sized businesses were obtained.
