Economic confidence in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti has rebounded, although people are still more pessimistic.
Feijoas growing in an orchard in Hawke's Bay. Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
It was measured in the most recent quarterly Westpac McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey.
Westpac economist Nathan Perry said they found more pessimists than optimists, but more people were optimistic than in the last quarter.
Unseasonable rain and good growing conditions would have improved confidence, he said.
"They had a relatively good autumn in terms of rain. The region often battles drought, but this year they haven't, so particularly for sheep and beef farmers in the region that was good news."
However Perry said there were likely good reasons for the negativity.
The region's apple industry struggled with labour shortages and much of this year's crop was unpicked.
"Also like everywhere else in the country, house prices have started to turn negative."
He said the regions were feeling pessimistic, and he hadn't seen that before.
