New Zealand’s credit card spending growth strengthened in July 2026, with annual growth rising to 5.3% year-over-year, up from 3.2% in June 2026. The figures, updated on 21 August 2026, highlight a noticeable acceleration in consumer payment activity compared with the same month a year earlier.
The data are calculated on a year-over-year basis, meaning July’s 5.3% figure reflects the change in credit card spending versus July of the previous year, while June’s 3.2% reading compared spending in June to the same month a year before. The step-up between June and July suggests New Zealand consumers increased their use of credit cards at a faster pace as the third quarter began.
