Latest figures show a bounce in consumer spending. Paymark, which processes about three quarters of all electronic transactions, reported growth of 5.5% in August, compared with the same month last year.
That's up from growth of 3.8% in June and July.
The value of transactions rose by 15.5% to $3.8 billion.
Paymark said cities are showing signs of strong growth for the first time in three years and South Island regions recorded the strongest growth.
But spending is still below the pre-Rugby World Cup levels of 2011, with the accommodation sector showing a 5% drop.
