The Finance Minister's welcoming a more positive outlook from businesses

NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a net-nine-percent of firms expect general economic conditions to improve.

That's jumped up from a net-four-percent feeling downbeat three months prior.

Minister Nicola Willis says this reflects a tough period of high inflation and climbing interest rates coming to an end.

She says greater confidence means more jobs and higher incomes - and the Government is trying to do its bit to support growth.