Manufacturing and export sales remain down compared to this time last year, although they're slowly improving.

The latest data's been compiled by the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Its business conditions survey shows total sales in June were down 6.5%. And export sales decreased almost 12% year-on-year.

But confidence is rising from May's low, with a small number of firms reporting modest increases in productivity.

Overall staff numbers for June are up 4%.