The National Bank Business Outlook survey released today shows a net 34.4 per cent of businesses expect better times ahead for the economy as a whole, down from a net 48 per cent in last month's survey.

See weekly market update video with IRG BOP's Jonathan York below.

This follows some positive news for exporters in the Bay of Plenty with the harvest of a bumper avocado crop underway and the Port of Tauranga reporting a profit boost.

The Port of Tauranga has also announced the world's second largest shipping line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, is beginning a new service which includes it as its only New Zealand port to start in October.