New Zealand CFOs remain cautious on the economy but confident in their own company performance
Geopolitical instability is perceived as the dominant risk, followed by inflation and supply chain disruption
New Zealand findings:
- Nearly 60% of NZ CFOs are pessimistic about the global economy and a further 12% highly pessimistic (net sentiment –62%)
- Sentiment is weaker domestically, with just under half of CFOs pessimistic about New Zealand’s economy and net sentiment at –40%
- Only 10% of NZ CFOs are optimistic about the local economy, but despite this, 52% of CFOs are optimistic about their own company performance (net +38%)
- 55% expect revenue growth or strong revenue growth over the next 12 months, while 40% expect revenue to remain flat.
- Top growth drivers are acquiring new customers (48%), increasing sales to existing customers (47%), improving operational efficiencies (35%), and price increases (35%)
- Geopolitical instability is the dominant risk (92%), followed by inflation (62%) and supply chain disruption (50%)
- 100% of CFOs expect the Middle East conflict to have a negative impact on the global economy, and 52% are monitoring conditions before taking action in response to uncertainty
- AI adoption is widespread but shallow, with 75% reporting pockets of use and only 13% extensive adoption across organisations
- 47% expect profit growth, but 25% anticipate profits will decline (net outlook +22%)
Auckland, 10 June 2026: New Zealand chief financial officers (CFOs) remain confident in their organisations’ performance even as economic uncertainty and global disruption weigh heavily on sentiment, according to Deloitte’s latest Asia Pacific CFO Pulse Survey.
In the latest edition of the Asia Pacific CFO Pulse Survey, “Optimism through uncertainty, CFO confidence defies global risk,” Deloitte explores the sentiments and key issues facing CFOs in the region. According to the survey, despite ongoing global uncertainty, Asia Pacific CFOs remain confident in their own organisations’ prospects, highlighting a sense of resilience even as risks persist.
Confidence in own organisations persists despite subdued economic outlook
The survey included responses from 60 New Zealand CFOs, showing they are more than twice as pessimistic about the global economy than their Asia Pacific counterparts. A net-62% of New Zealand CFOs are pessimistic about the global economy, while leaders across the rest of Asia Pacific sit at net -27%.
The domestic economic outlook is sharply weaker in New Zealand with sentiment toward the New Zealand economy standing at-40%. By contrast, views on the Asia Pacific economy are net positive.
Despite this, New Zealand CFOs remain confident in their own organisations, with a net +38% optimistic about company performance over the next 12 months. This divergence reflects a focus on controllable factors, with finance leaders prioritising execution and resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
“While our CFOs are looking at the global and domestic economies with real caution, they’re still prioritising growth, and not backing down on operational efficiency and investment in technology to drive performance,” according to Andrew Boivin, Deloitte New Zealand’s CFO Programme Leader.
All NZ CFOs expect Middle East conflict to hit global economy
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand CFOs cite geopolitical instability as the primary risk (92%) to their business over the next 12 months. Inflation (62%) and supply chain disruption (50%) follow, underscoring the flow-on effects of the conflict in the Middle East.
Across Asia Pacific, 93% of CFOs anticipate that the Middle East conflict will negatively impact the global economy, with half expecting these effects to be significant. In contrast, sentiment is more measured at the company level, with only 14% anticipating a significant impact on their own organisations.
“While there’s no doubt global uncertainty is weighing on minds, New Zealand CFOs are taking a pretty grounded view. They’re aware of the risks, but still confident in their ability to steer their organisations through it,” continues Andrew Boivin.
Innovation and technology
Technology and innovation are playing a less prominent role as growth drivers for New Zealand organisations compared to their Asia Pacific peers. Fewer than a quarter of NZ CFOs (23%) identify technology or AI as a key growth lever, compared with 30% across the region, indicating that New Zealand may be lagging in tech-led growth prioritisation. Similarly, innovation is cited less frequently, with 27% of NZ CFOs pointing to it as a growth driver versus 40% in Asia Pacific. This suggests New Zealand businesses are placing greater emphasis on more traditional growth strategies, such as acquiring new customers, increasing sales to existing clients and improving operational efficiency, rather than focusing on new products or technology-driven transformation.
New Zealand businesses lag APAC in scaling AI
AI adoption is widespread but varies significantly in depth across organisations and finance functions. Around 88% of New Zealand CFOs report some level of AI use across their organisation, while adoption within finance teams is lower at 77%. However, most organisations remain in early stages of maturity, with three-quarters reporting only “pockets of use” and just 13% indicating extensive, organisation-wide deployment. This highlights a gap between initial adoption and scaled implementation of AI, particularly within finance functions where uptake is less advanced.
The biggest barriers to AI value include talent and skills gaps (62%) and data-related challenges (60%). To address this, CFOs are prioritising upskilling, improving data foundations, and leveraging external partners.
Outlook: optimism in an uncertain environment
New Zealand CFOs are balancing caution with action, maintaining confidence in their organisations while actively managing risk.
“As economic and geopolitical uncertainty persists, finance leaders are focusing on what they can control - driving efficiency, strengthening resilience, and investing selectively in growth and technology to position their organisations for the future,” continues Andrew Boivin.
“The challenge for New Zealand businesses will be navigating ongoing uncertainty while positioning for long-term growth.”
To access the full report and learn more about the findings, please visit:
Asia Pacific CFO Pulse
ABOUT DELOITTE
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organisation”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.
Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited is a company limited by guarantee and a member firm of DTTL. Members of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and their related entities, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity, provide services from more than 100 cities across the region, including Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Bengaluru, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo.
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 415,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
Deloitte New Zealand brings together more than 1800 specialist professionals providing audit, tax, technology and systems, strategy and performance improvement, risk management, corporate finance, business recovery, forensic and accounting services. Our people are based in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, serving clients that range from New Zealand’s largest companies and public sector organisations to smaller businesses with ambition to grow. For more information about Deloitte in New Zealand, look to our website www.deloitte.co.nz.
This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organisation”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser.
No representations, warranties or undertakings (express or implied) are given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this communication, and none of DTTL, its member firms, related entities, employees or agents shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly in connection with any person relying on this communication. DTTL and each of its member firms, and their related entities, are legally separate and independent entities.
© 2025. Deloitte Limited (as trustee for the Deloitte Trading Trust).