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New Zealand's gross domestic product increased by 2.7 percent last year, with growth widespread throughout the economy, Finance Minister Bill English announced Thursday.
The economic gains would lead to more jobs and higher incomes, English said in a statement.
"Business and consumer confidence remains high, manufacturing activity has been expanding for almost a year and a half and the current account deficit is less than half of what it was five or six years ago," he said.
"However, we still have plenty of work ahead of us to ensure these positive indicators are translated into real opportunities and progress for New Zealanders and their families."
Manufacturing made the largest contribution to GDP growth in the December quarter last year, increasing by 2.1 percent, taking overall manufacturing activity to its highest level since March 2006.
Wholesale trade, including machinery and equipment, increased 3. 2 percent in the quarter, with investment in plant, machinery and equipment up by 7.5 percent.
"This confirms businesses are investing for the long-term to support productivity and higher wages," English said.
New Zealand's 0.9-percent December quarter growth was strong by the standards of other developed countries, comparing with 0.6 percent in the United States, 0.7 percent in Britain and Canada, 0. 8 percent in Australia and 0.2 percent in Japan, he said.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised interest rates by 25 basis points this month to 2.75 percent, the first move since March 2011, citing the inflationary pressures caused by economic growth.
Unemployment remained at a relatively high 6 percent in the December 2013 quarter, according to the government statistics agency.
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) said the results of economic growth were yet to be seen in jobs and wages growth, with other recent figures showing stagnating wages despite productivity improvements, and weak business investment.
"Household purchases are also consistent with some households doing well and feeling confident enough to buy new appliances and furniture, while others can barely afford to pay for necessities such as groceries and electricity," CTU economist Bill Rosenberg said in a statement.
