South Islanders have proved their own resilience in a new survey of business confidence in the mainland.

Earthquakes, snow storms and financial trainwrecks couldn’t dampen southern spirits, according to business advisors Polson Higgs.

Its business survey found 51 per cent of respondents thought their companies’ profitability would increase in the coming months.

“Sometimes negative events can breed negative sentiment, and of course business sentiment is crucial," said partner Michael Turner.

"So it’s positive for the South Island that people haven’t been negatively [impacted] in terms of optimism by those events, and so hopefully things will carry on as they did before."

The survey also found 52.5 per cent of businesses thought competition would decrease – a factor which would boost their own returns.

"We’ve been pleased that the results show a consistent level of optimism, if not a slight improvement.

"Given the events that have occurred, we think that’s remarkable actually.”

 The survey showed a marked increase in the number of businesses planning to get professional advice in the next 12 months – the rate jumped from 30 per cent to 50.