The number of small businesses in New Zealand is continuing to grow, bringing with them a boost to employment.

Research New Zealand's Profile on Businesses has found the number of enterprises increased 2.5% between 2013 and 2014.

That included a net increase of almost 10,000 businesses, which were mostly self-employed people or small businesses that employed fewer than 20 people.

The number of people employed by the business sector also increased 5.4%.

Auckland and Canterbury experienced the greatest growth.