The Bank of New Zealand-Business NZ's seasonally-adjusted performance of manufacturing index (PMI) rose 0.8 points to 56.7 in November from an upwardly revised 55.9 in October.
A reading above 50 indicates an expansion in activity, and below a contraction.
The rise was led by a jump in the new orders sub-index to 62.0, its highest since 2004, and an increase in production to 59. Increases were also seen in the remaining indices for employment, finished stocks and deliveries.