Northlanders might be tightening the purse strings despite increased optimism for the economic year ahead.
Westpac's McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey for the December quarter of 2017 was released last week and suggests that Northlanders do have confidence in their economy, but not so much in their own pocket.
Northlanders' net confidence for their regional economy grew from 17 per cent in the September quarter survey of 2017 to 18 per cent, anticipating a strong economic year ahead for the region.
Falling unemployment rates and strong construction, manufacturing and tourism sectors may be key contributors to Northlanders' new confidence for 2018.
Of New Zealand's eleven regions, six rose in confidence for their region's economy prosperity while five decreased.