Eight regions recorded a rise in economic activity in the final three months of 2011, while six regions registered a slowing in activity.

The largest quarterly gain was measured in Manawatu-Whanganui, which rebounded 1.2 percent from a weaker September quarter.

When summed across all the regions, the nationwide measure of economic activity lifted 0.2 percent.

The South Island recorded a 0.8 percent lift in economic activity, while the North Island economy inched up by only 0.1 percent.

Four of the five South Island regions recorded a lift in economic activity that surpassed the nationwide average. The exception was the West Coast, which recorded the largest reduction in economic activity in December.

Annual economic growth lifted in eleven of the fourteen regions. Auckland remained in the top position of the regional growth rankings, while Northland retained the wooden spoon at the bottom of the table. Otago recorded the most rapid rise up the regional growth stakes, moving from seventh to fourth position. West Coast dropped from the joint strongest growing region in September to the sixth position in December.

On a nationwide basis economic growth over the 2011 calendar year was 0.8 percent, up from 0.6 percent three months earlier.