A consumer credit survey suggests one in three New Zealanders is worried they will have problems meeting credit commitments in coming months.
The latest Dun & Bradstreet online survey was answered by 1000 people aged between 18 and 64 years.
Some 34% of respondents said they expect to use their credit card to pay for otherwise unaffordable debt - with that figure rising to 56% for people living in earthquake-hit Christchurch.
Of those aged over 50, almost a third expect to have some difficulty meeting their credit obligations over the next three months.
Some 27% of people said they expect to apply for new credit, while 22% say they have delayed making a major purchase.
Dun & Bradstreet says the results point to the financial pressure many households are experiencing as a result of debt levels remaining at historic highs.