The Veda Advantage credit bureau says demand for credit is on the rise, but consumers are being careful about taking on debt.
An online survey conducted last month for Dun & Bradstreet, found 34% of people expect to use their credit card to pay for unaffordable expenses in the next three months.
That figure rises to 56% in Christchurch - but only 14% of respondents there expect to have difficulties making repayments.
Veda Advantage managing director John Roberts says the key group turning back to credit is the baby boomers - who seem to have delayed making major purchases since the global financial crisis.
Reserve Bank figures show total credit card debt was almost $5.5 billion in February.
