Tauranga businesses are signalling a reduced level of confidence in the overall business environment for the next six months, according a Tauranga Chamber of Commerce survey.
Fewer businesses are intending to undertake new investment and employment intensions have tightened, the quarterly survey showed.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason says the marginal life in overall business confidence is not yet showing up in individual business profits and employment intensions.
"The findings suggest business will remain cautious and focused on cutting costs and surviving what they see as a continuing tough environment than investing and positioning for growth."

Survey results:
46 per cent of businesses believe the general business situation will improve over the next six months compared to 52 per cent of this view in the March survey.

Eight per cent of businesses believe the general situation will get worse over the next six months compared to just four per cent of this view in March.

62 per cent of business owners believe their own business will improve over the next six months compared to 70 per cent of this view in March.

53 per cent of businesses suggest demand is the greatest constraint to growth compared to 49 per cent last March.

90 per cent of businesses believe interest rates will increase over the next 12 months compared to 71 per cent of this view last March.

10 per cent of businesses expect to increase new building investment in their business over the next 12 months compared to 21 per cent of this view last March.

41 per cent of businesses expect profitability to be up over the period ahead compared to 53 per cent of this view in March.