Consumer confidence · New Zealand
New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence
The New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence measures how households in New Zealand feel about their finances, the economy and their plans for big purchases.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Quarterly
- Next release
- Currency
- NZD · New Zealand dollar
- Central bank
- The Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Latest figures
The latest release for Q3, published on 15 September 2026, came in at 89.5, up from 80.4 the time before.
Over the last 7 releases it ranged from 80.4 to 96.5, averaging 90.3.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2026 | Q3 | 89.5 | – | 80.4 |
| 16 Jun 2026 | Q2 | 80.4 | – | 94.7 |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Q1 | 94.7 | – | 96.5 |
| 16 Dec 2025 | Q4 | 96.5 | – | 90.9 |
| 16 Sep 2025 | Q3 | 90.9 | – | 91.2 |
| 17 Jun 2025 | Q2 | 91.2 | – | 89.2 |
| 18 Mar 2025 | Q1 | 89.2 | – | 97.5 |
Why it matters
Household spending is the largest part of most economies. Confidence surveys come out early in the month and help forecast spending; they also capture inflation worries and political shocks quickly.
How it is calculated
A representative sample of households answers questions on current and expected conditions; answers are combined into a balance (positive minus negative) or an index relative to a base year.
What changes mean
- Confidence and actual spending often diverge in the short run; trends matter more than one month.
- Sharp drops after shocks (energy prices, elections) tend to recover if jobs hold up.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the New Zealand dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the New Zealand dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
George Katona started the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers in 1946; the European Commission and many national institutes run similar surveys today.
New Zealand was the first country to adopt formal inflation targeting, in 1990.
Questions
What is the New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence?
The New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence measures how households in New Zealand feel about their finances, the economy and their plans for big purchases.
What was the latest New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence?
89.5 for Q3, published on 15 September 2026.
When is the next New Zealand Westpac Consumer Confidence?
On Friday 18 December 2026.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.