Retail spending using electronic cards has rebounded after falling by 0.5 percent in January.
Official figures show that spending by means of debit, credit and charge cards rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.9 percent in February, compared with the previous month.
Excluding cars and vehicle parts, core retail spending increased by 1.1 percent.
Statistics New Zealand says the increase is mainly due to people spending more on furniture and whiteware, and eating out.
Core spending rose to $3.4 billion last month - 5 percent more than in the same period a year ago.
Spending by means of electronic cards accounts for two-thirds of all retail spending.