Confidence is starting to creep back to Auckland businesses

The Auckland Business Chamber's latest survey reveals confidence has gone from 64 percent negative in August - to 44 percent this month.

Neutral sentiment's up - and 54 percent of businesses now expect the economy to improve.

Chief executive Simon Bridges says the step up hasn't yet flowed through to performance - with low demand remaining a challenge.

He says the business community isn't out of the woods - but it's no longer stuck in the darkest part of the forest.