A bigger rise in GDP than anyone expected for the first three months of the year

GDP went up one point six per cent in the March quarter - following on from a one per cent contraction in December.

KiwiBank chief economist Jarrod Kerr says consumers and businesses spent more than anticipated.

Jarrod Kerr says on the back of this - they think it's likely the Official Cash Rate will rise in May next year.

Meanwhile ANZ is forecasting it to start rising in February.