Christmas spending is heading for a new record, up 7 percent compared to last year.
Christmas Tree Photo: Flickr
More than $4 billion was spent in the first 21 days of December, and Paymark said transactions peaked at 168 per second at 12:36:30 yesterday.
However, because Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday it is less likely to be the usual record-breaking biggest day.
Paymark's Paul Brislen said that gong could go to Friday 23 December, when more than $300 million went through the Paymark network.
"We're about 7 percent ahead of spending for the same time last year, but it's all somewhat complicated by having Christmas Day on a Sunday," Mr Brislen said.
"That means Christmas Eve of course is a Saturday and that messes with our usual model of Christmas Eve being the busiest day of the year."
He said more people would have completed their shopping on Friday so they could begin their holiday today.
Retail New Zealand spokesperson Greg Harford was not too worried about the spending habits.
"Traditionally, Saturdays are very busy in retail environments," he said.
"People like to get out and shop on a Saturday when they're not at work and have plenty of time."
"There'll be people travelling, but I think there'll be people stopping off at the shops on the way and it will be pretty busy," he said.
Mr Harford said the season's spending had started slowly, but was now strong throughout the country.
Mr Brislen said the top items had been alcohol, automotive repair and accommodation.