FX.co ★ New Zealand Q3 Consumer Mood Improves from 3-Year Low

New Zealand’s Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose to 89.5 in Q3 2026, up from 80.4 in the previous quarter, when it had fallen to its lowest level since 2023. Despite this improvement, the index remained in pessimistic territory, reflecting ongoing concerns about elevated fuel prices, interest rates, and living costs. While sentiment has lifted slightly, it is still subdued: lower petrol prices, compared with the extreme highs earlier in the year, have offered some relief, yet households are still cutting back on dining out and entertainment and postponing major purchases.