There’s a view that New Zealand's still a while away from being a 'rockstar' economy.

Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update documents are coming out early this afternoon, carrying key economic metrics.

Treasury's also releasing a Budget Policy Statement outlining priorities for upcoming spending.

Former Finance Minister Steven Joyce told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was a pretty average year for the economy, and next year looks to be better.

Joyce says getting core spending below 30% of GDP is the goal, but it won’t happen overnight.

He says Bill English spent eight years after the Canterbury quakes and the global financial crisis wrestling to get back into surplus.

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Students are still battling to find consistent work leading into the summer break.

Fifty thousand people applied for work through Student Job Search in November – the highest number this year.

Chief Executive of Student Job Search Louise Saviker told Heather du Plessis-Allan while there are more jobs being listed, these are largely one-off or casual roles.

She says this means students need even more jobs.

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New data shows the service sector has now dipped in activity for six months in a row.

The most recent PSI recorded performance at its lowest since May, at 46.9.

For growth, it needs to sit at 50 or above.

ABC Business Sales CEO Chris Small told Heather du Plessis-Allan the results were a surprise.

He says the data had suggested the low point would be during Winter.

The sector is blaming the weak economic environment for the downturn, Small saying that in comparison, the retail sector saw a boost around Black Friday.

He says this shows things are turning around and services are just the lagging factor.

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