Seasonally adjusted electronic card transactions in New Zealand fell 1.3% month-over-month in April 2026, reversing a 0.7% rise in the previous month. It marked the first decline in three months, as spending in all categories dropped, with fuel spending falling 2.0% due to the impact of the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, consumables (-2.1% vs 1.1% in March), hospitality (-1.3% vs -2.4%), durables (-1.1% vs 1.2%), motor vehicles (-4.1% vs 1.9%), and apparel (-1.3% vs -4.2%) also declined. On an annual basis, total electronic card spending rose 2.0%, following a 2.7% increase in March. source: Statistics New Zealand

Credit Card Spending in New Zealand decreased to 6979 NZD Million in April from 7068 NZD Million in March of 2026. Credit Card Spending in New Zealand averaged 4655.24 NZD Million from 2002 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 7078.00 NZD Million in August of 2023 and a record low of 2145.00 NZD Million in November of 2002. This page provides - New Zealand Credit Card Spending- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Credit Card Spending - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Credit Card Spending in New Zealand decreased to 6979 NZD Million in April from 7068 NZD Million in March of 2026. Credit Card Spending in New Zealand is expected to be 6900.00 NZD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Credit Card Spending is projected to trend around 6800.00 NZD Million in 2027 and 6950.00 NZD Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-18 10:45 PM
Electronic Retail Card Spending YoY
Apr 2% 2.7% 3.4%
2026-05-18 10:45 PM
Electronic Retail Card Spending MoM
Apr -1.3% 0.7% 1.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Spending 45505.00 45571.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Electronic Retail Card Spending YoY 6979.00 7068.00 NZD Million Apr 2026
Retail Sales 0.90 0.90 percent Mar 2026
Retail Sales YoY 4.50 4.40 percent Mar 2026


New Zealand Credit Card Spending
In New Zealand, Electronic Retail Card Spending measures the credit card spending by individuals on consumables, durables, hospitality, apparel industry, motor vehicles and fuel. The electronic card transactions series covers all debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. It can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6979.00 7068.00 7078.00 2145.00 2002 - 2026 NZD Million Monthly
Current prices, SA

News Stream
New Zealand Credit Card Spending Falls 1.3% in April
Seasonally adjusted electronic card transactions in New Zealand fell 1.3% month-over-month in April 2026, reversing a 0.7% rise in the previous month. It marked the first decline in three months, as spending in all categories dropped, with fuel spending falling 2.0% due to the impact of the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, consumables (-2.1% vs 1.1% in March), hospitality (-1.3% vs -2.4%), durables (-1.1% vs 1.2%), motor vehicles (-4.1% vs 1.9%), and apparel (-1.3% vs -4.2%) also declined. On an annual basis, total electronic card spending rose 2.0%, following a 2.7% increase in March.
2026-05-18
New Zealand Card Spending Growth Slows to 0.7%
Seasonally adjusted electronic card transactions in New Zealand increased 0.7% month-over-month in March 2026, following a 1.4% rise in the previous month. It marked the second straight month of growth, although the pace eased compared to the previous month. The moderation came as spending in some categories eased, including consumables (1.1% vs 1.8% in February) and durables (1.2% vs 1.3%). Additionally, spending declined in hospitality (-2.4% vs 2.4%) and apparel (-4.2% vs 1.9%). In contrast, spending on fuel jumped 17.3%, rebounding sharply from a 1.1% fall in February, due to higher fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, spending on motor vehicles excluding fuel rose 1.9%, recovering from a 0.2% drop in the previous month. On an annual basis, total electronic card spending rose 2.7%, after a 1.5% growth in February.
2026-04-16
New Zealand Credit Card Spending Rebounds
The seasonally adjusted electronic card transactions in New Zealand rose 1.4% month-over-month in February 2026, reversing a 1.1% decline in the previous month and marking the first rise since last November. The upturn was supported by strength in some categories, including consumables (1.8%), durables (1.3%), hospitality (2.4%), and apparel (0.6%). In contrast, fuel (-1.2%) and motor vehicles excluding fuel (-0.5%) declined. On an annual basis, total electronic card spending grew 1.5%, picking up from a 0.4% increase in January.
2026-03-15