New Zealand Credit Card Spending Edge Up in February

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.

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.

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.