It’s been another challenging year for New Zealand businesses to navigate. With global uncertainty, local pressures, and a mixed economic outlook, New Zealand’s mid-sized businesses have had to work hard to keep momentum. That said, many have managed to hold steady — and further improvement is forecast for 2026.
MYOB’s latest survey polling more than 500 leaders and decision makers from mid-sized businesses across the country, paints a mixed but encouraging picture. Almost half (46%) of businesses reported that revenue is up on this time a year ago, while 30% say revenue is about the same. A quarter, however, saw revenue decline, signalling that no business is immune to the strains generated by the current economy.
But when asked about the year ahead, the outlook brightens slightly. Just over half (51%) of business leaders expect revenue growth in the next 12 months, while 30% anticipate revenue will be on par with where it is now, and 18% are expecting a dip.
MYOB CEO, Paul Robson, explains that 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. 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,” says Paul.
“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 mid-sized 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.”
Technology priorities for the year ahead
As mid-sized firms balance local and global risks alongside their growth ambitions, MYOB’s data shows that business leaders will continue to double down on modern, intelligent technologies to help advance their agenda.
Over the next 12 months, their focus is clear: upgrading the systems that sit at the heart of their operations. More than half (55%) of those surveyed plan to upgrade or improve their CRM software to strengthen sales and service, while 46% are looking at finance and accounting management solutions and 44% are planning to improve their ERP systems, streamlining processes and gaining better visibility across the business.
Driving this investment is a clear understanding of the value cloud solutions bring to modern business. Efficiency is top of mind, with 48% stating their main driver of adopting cloud solutions is to automate workflows and boost operational performance. Close behind are priorities such as strengthening data security and compliance (46%), and ensuring they have scalable, flexible systems that can adapt to changing needs (45%).
AI in particular is also 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.
Together, these goals show that for mid-sized businesses, the cloud isn’t just about technology upgrades — it’s about building a platform that supports resilience, agility, and smarter growth into 2026 and beyond.
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 both the resilience and ambition to not just withstand challenges, but to shape their own path to growth.”
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