New Zealand card spending last month recorded 2.3 per cent growth, equivalent to $189 million, compared to April, according to Stats NZ.

Card spending at retailers surged 1.7 per cent ($103 million) compared to the previous month, with the apparel sub-category accounting for the highest month-on-month increase in spending, up by $18 million or 5.2 per cent, followed by durables (2.4 per cent).

“With the trans-Tasman bubble opening and New Zealand remaining in level 1, Kiwi consumer confidence has remained high,” said Geraldine Duoba, business statistics manager. 

Card spending on consumables increased by 1.8 per cent with the specialised food and liquor, up 26 and 1.5 per cent respectively. Spending at supermarket and grocery stores category was down by 4.4 per cent.

According to Stats NZ, the difference in sub-categories like supermarkets and grocery stores could result from New Zealand being at alert level 3 and 2 during the comparison period. 

“The fact that New Zealand has avoided moving up Covid alert levels since March 2021 appears to have positively impacted New Zealanders’ spending,” Duoba said.