New Zealand’s consumer spending momentum strengthened in May 2026, as electronic card retail sales growth quickened on an annual basis. Year-over-year, electronic card retail sales rose 3.3% in May, up from a 2.0% increase recorded in April 2026.
The data, updated on 14 June 2026, show that the latest “actual” figure reflects the change in May 2026 relative to May 2025, while the previous reading captured April 2026 compared with April 2025. The pickup from 2.0% to 3.3% suggests firmer underlying demand flowing through electronic payment channels, a key gauge of day‑to‑day consumer activity in the New Zealand economy.