New Zealand Records Worst March for Liquidations Since 2015

Centrix data reveals March 2026 was the worst month for liquidations since 2015, with hospitality and construction hit hardest as Inland Revenue ramps up tax debt collection.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 4:05 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Sector Breakdown: Construction and Hospitality Under Fire

The impact of the current economic climate is disproportionately felt across a few key industries:

Construction: Remained the leader in total liquidations, with 768 firms failing in the past year. However, this represents less than 1% of the total registered companies in the sector.

Hospitality: Experienced a sharp 49% increase in liquidations compared to the previous year. A total of 399 businesses folded, representing 1.3% of the industry.

Automotive Repair: Liquidations nearly tripled, rising from 27 to 74 year-on-year, driven by softer discretionary spending and rising operational costs.

Manufacturing: Provided a rare bright spot, with liquidations actually down 5%, suggesting a stabilizing trend in that sector.