SMEs and Industry Sectors

This Document is Archived

SMEs in New Zealand: Structure and Dynamics

Industry and Regional Development Branch

[ Last Updated 7 November 2005 ]

SMEs constitute over 98% of enterprises in several industries

Businesses with 0-19 employees are most predominant in the property and business services sector, with SMEs accounting for 99.0 percent of all enterprises in this sector. Small businesses constitute the majority of these, making up 95 percent of enterprises in this industry.

SMEs are also dominant in personal and other services, construction, finance and insurance and communication services sectors, making up over 98 percent of businesses in each of these industry groups. Small businesses again account for the majority of SMEs in each of these sectors.

Figure 8 illustrates the significance of SMEs in each ANZSIC (Australia and New Zealand Industrial Classification) group, highlighting the importance of smaller enterprises to the economy.

Figure 8:⁷ Significance of SMEs by ANZSIC Classification

Figure 8: Significance of SMEs by ANZSIC Classification

⁷ANZSIC industry classifications used in this section are: A - Agriculture, forestry and fishing, B - Mining, C - Manufacturing, D - Electricity, gas and water supply, E - Construction, F - Wholesale trade, G - Retail trade, H - Accommodation, cafes and restaurants, I - Transport and storage, J - Communication services, K - Finance and insurance, L - Property and business services, M - Government administration and defence, N - Education, O - Health and community services, P - Cultural and recreational services, Q - Personal and other services.