Retail spending is up 8.5 per cent in the Bay of Plenty, a higher increase than in any other part of the country.
The data from Paymark showed the dramatic increase in spending on debit and credit cards in the first quarter of this year.
Bay of Plenty locals and visitors spent $696.7 million on cards through the Paymark network in the March quarter.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said the figures were no surprise as Tauranga and the Western Bay had been "pumping" for some time.
Mr Gregec said tourism and hospitality were major growth sectors in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.
"We know that tourism and hospitality are buoyant here in the Bay, not just international visitors, but Kiwis love coming to Tauranga and enjoying all that is on offer here."
Mr Gregec said the increase in retail spending was a good sign for other sectors of the economy.
"It's great to see retail strong because if people are spending in retail it shows that other sectors are healthy."
Spending growth at a national level was up 5.7 per cent for the March 2017 quarter compared to the same quarter of 2016.
Hospitality was one of the major sectors influencing growth, with spending up 9.9 per cent across the country.
Gerard Casey, chief executive of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce, said hospitality and tourism were growing in the area.
"It's been a very positive year so far," he said.
White Island Tours' visitor numbers were up between 10 and 20 per cent, he said, and hotels and motels were doing well.
"The biggest winners are the accommodation providers, the tourism sector and the supermarkets," Mr Casey said.
Spending in March quarter
Region No. of transactions Amount spent Annual % change
Bay of Plenty 16.71m $696.7m 8.5
Hawke's Bay 7.68m $312.2m 8.1
Nelson 5.13m $219.4m 7.8
Otago 14.7m $648.8m 7.0
Auckland & 94.78m $3796.1m 5.8
Northland
Marlborough 2.8m $129.8m -2.8