New Zealand’s credit card spending picked up pace in March 2026, with annual growth rising to 2.1% year-on-year, up from 1.1% in February 2026. The latest data, updated on 23 April 2026, indicates a strengthening in consumer activity compared to the same month a year earlier.
The figures are based on a year-over-year comparison, measuring how much credit card spending in March 2026 changed relative to March 2025. Similarly, February’s 1.1% reading reflected the change compared with February 2025. The acceleration suggests that household demand and consumer confidence showed some improvement as the first quarter drew to a close.
While the data do not break down sector-specific trends, the shift from 1.1% to 2.1% annual growth highlights a modest but notable upswing in card-based spending, an important gauge for tracking near-term momentum in New Zealand’s domestic consumption.