Hibiscus Coast shoppers helped push card spending up in November 2025.

Stats NZ says total electronic card spending rose $178 million (1.9%) from October, across retail plus two non-retail categories.

The data covers debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants.

Retail spending lifted $86 million (1.2%). Core retail was up $67 million (1.1%).

The biggest retail lifts were in:

• Durables, up $35 million (2.1%)
• Hospitality, up $18 million (1.3%)
• Consumables, up $12 million (0.4%)
• Apparel, up $11 million (3.4%)
• Fuel, up $8.7 million (1.8%)
• Motor vehicles excluding fuel, up $5.1 million (2.6%)

Outside retail, non-retail excluding services jumped $87 million (3.9%). Services rose $11 million (2.8%).

Those categories include areas like health care, travel, postal and courier delivery, repair and maintenance, and personal care.

In actual terms, cardholders made 185 million transactions in November 2025.

The average value was $55 per transaction.

Total electronic card spending was $10 billion.

For local retailers and hospitality spots across Orewa, Silverdale, and Whangaparāoa, a lift like this is a good sign heading into summer.

If the momentum holds, it should mean steadier foot traffic and a bit more confidence for businesses gearing up for the holiday rush.

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