Wanganui businesses are thriving as the Christmas shopping spree reaches a climax today.
According to the latest Paymark statistics, Wanganui residents spent $35.8 million in the first 22 days of December via Eftpos - that's a 3.8 per cent increase on 2013.
On a national scale, New Zealanders were spending up in the rush before Christmas with a total of $3.9 billion spent. That is $170 million more than in the first 22 days of December last year.
An increase of 6.5 per cent in Eftpos transactions was also recorded, with Kiwis swiping their cards 76.23 million times.
Paymark spokesman Mark Spicer said the rush had been influenced by a slow start to the spending season and a late entry into summer.