Kiwis among the most prolific re-gifters - survey

Christmas Presents - kiwis are among the region's most prolific re-gifters

As the silly season draws ever closer, a survey has found New Zealanders are among the most prolific re-gifters in the Asia Pacific region.

Re-gifting involves passing on unwanted gifts in the guise of a new gift.

The survey by daily deal website Groupon found 45 per cent of Kiwi respondents had re-gifted, compared with just 31 per cent in Japan, 38 per cent in India and Indonesia and 43 per cent in Singapore.

Half of the Australian respondents had re-gifted, according to the research.

The survey - which canvassed 25,070 consumers across the region, including 993 in New Zealand - found Kiwis had the lowest rate of being caught re-gifting, with only 19 per cent of re-gifters reporting that they had been busted for the practice.

In India, on the other hand, one in three re-gifters had been caught out.

The survey also found New Zealanders give an average of 11 presents each Christmas, which is above the regional average of six but well behind the Filipinos, who give an average of 25 presents each festive season.

Kiwi respondents planned to spend an average of $439 on gifts this Christmas, compared with $546 for Australians.

More than 70 per cent of New Zealand respondents planned to purchase gifts online this year.

According to the survey, this year's top 10 most popular shopping categories - from most popular to least popular - are: toys, homeware, beauty products, books and music, clothes and shoes, jewellery, quirky items, personal electronics, spa treatments and restaurants.