More evidence of an improving economy, based on the amount of freight hitting our roads.

Freight company Freightways is reporting a 17 percent rise in half-year profit.

Chief executive Mark Troughear says they're starting to see optimism return, slowly and steadily.

"It's a good result, and that's a bit of market share gains - Australia is going really well for us. But in New Zealand, you're just starting to see customers trade a little bit up on what they did last year."

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