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New Zealand Light, Heavy Traffic Decline in May, Says ANZ

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New Zealand's light and heavy traffic fell in May as higher fuel prices triggered by the Middle East conflict weighed on demand and discouraged driving, ANZ Research said Wednesday.

According to the ANZ's NZ Truckometer data, the light traffic index, a measure of movement in motorbikes, cars and vans declined by 0.2% last month, but was still up 0.4% year on year, reflecting reduced demand and a loss of economic momentum.

While heavy traffic data, which tracks mostly trucks and buses, fell 1.3% in May but was up 1.9% year on year, signaling softening production even as the overall trend remains upward.

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