Spending increased again in February: Worldline
Thursday, 5 March 2026
The latest retail spending figures from Worldline show transactions are on the rise again - with growth recorded in Auckland in February the highest in two years.
Consumer spending reached $3.68 billion in February, an increase of 2.2% when compared to spending in the same month last year, according to the payments service provider, which processes about 75% of electronic transactions in New Zealand.
Spending growth was highest in Palmerston North - up 4.5%, followed by strong rises in Otago, up 3.8%, Waikato, up 3.7%, and Nelson, up 3.4%.
Spending in February rose 2.8% in Auckland, and 2.2% in Southland.
Wellington spending is still below the same measure a year ago.
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Worldline chief sales officer Bruce Proffit said the uplift in sales in February was “encouraging”.
“While the annual growth rate is relatively low and spending did not increase across all sectors and regions, it’s still heartening to see that total spending is up at this point of the year, and, most notably, up in New Zealand’s largest region,” Proffit said.
Spending on flowers and jewellery spiked in the days before, and including Valentine’s Day, although overall spending was still down on last year.
Wet weather was likely a factor in dampening romantic retail spirits across the nation, Worldline said.
Spending through florists and watch and jewellery merchants in Worldline’s payments network was $4.8m over the two days ending February 14, down 14.5% on the same two days in February last year.
Southland and Palmerston North spent the most for Valentine’s Day.
In January, spending rose 0.6% and totalled $4.02b in January.
The modest rise was a “positive” start to the year, after a fall in spending in the final month of 2025, and after a subdued Boxing Day sales period.
Worldline NZ chief sales officer Bruce Proffit said storms and heavy rainfall that caused floods and slips in some areas of the country dented spending in the month.