Festive spending expected to continue

Things were a blur at Whangarei's The Warehouse during the Boxing Day sales as Northlanders spent up large. Photo / Tania Whyte

Northlanders spent up large over the Christmas period and an economic development boss expects the spending to continue throughout the summer.

Paymark figures show $64 million was spent across the Paymark network in Northland and Auckland this Boxing Day, up 11.9 per cent on the same day last year.

Northland Inc chief executive David Wilson said the spending increase was a spill over from the buoyancy in the local economy.

He said visitor numbers were well up in the region, which should lead to more happy times for many business owners.

The Boxing Day spend followed $105 million in spending across Northland and Auckland on Christmas Eve, a 6.8 per cent increase on the same time last year, according to Paymark, which processes more than 75 per cent of all electronic transactions in New Zealand.

Mr Wilson said he expected the spending to continue as the long, hot summer and favourable exchange rates continued bringing tourists to the area.

Nationally, a record Boxing Day helped provide many retailers with an additional boost, with $151.7 million spent across the country.

That was up 11.2 per cent on the same time last year.

Paymark chief executive Mark Rushworth said Christmas Eve was always the biggest day of the year, but Boxing Day gave the retailers an extra boost this year.

"Boxing Day sales have traditionally been strong and we've seen an increase in spending at cafes and restaurants."

Liquor merchants and speciality food outlets had a strong Boxing Day, with increases of 37.7 per cent and 18.3 per cent respectively, he said.

The spending spree on Boxing Day had been particularly strong in the regions, with the Bay of Plenty, Otago, and Hawke's Bay all recording strong annual growth.

Nelson was the highest growth area, with a 17.5 per cent increase over last year.

Final data for Christmas Eve showed a very strong year, with $272.6 million spent.

On Christmas Eve 2014, $263.5 million was processed via the Paymark network.