A survey carried out by credit reporting agency Dun and Bradstreet has found the number of firms wanting debts collected has more than doubled in the last year, and the value of debt being chased has also increased.
Auckland businesses placed the largest number of debts for collection in the March 2009 quarter.
Auckland also had the most significant increase in the number of debts referred, a rise of 160% on the same quarter last year.
In New Zealand as a whole, the number of debts referred for collection rose 127%.
Auckland businesses were the slowest to pay their debts in the March quarter, averaging 51.3 days to settle accounts.
Wellington businesses averaged 49.9 days, while Christchurch businesses averaged 48.5 days.
Dun and Bradstreet says firms need to toughen up their approach to debt collection in tough economic times.
The agency's New Zealand general manager, John Scott, says the current economic climate is proving challenging for businesses.
Mr Scott says some businesses delay bill payments as long as possible to manage their cash flow, which can lead to a chain of companies waiting for payment.
