Reserve Bank figures show total household borrowing rose in September as strong demand for housing-related finance offset a continued fall in consumer-related financing.
Seasonally adjusted total household borrowing rose 0.2% to $178.1 billion last month, an increase of 2% on the same period a year ago.
Housing-related borrowing rose 3%, but consumer borrowing fell 6%, reflecting a drop in consumer spending amid high interest rates, and rising food and petrol costs.
Separately, the Reserve Bank says on a net basis it had neither bought nor sold the New Zealand dollar during September, compared with a net $1 million purchase in August.
