Consumer confidence has rebounded leading into the summer holiday season, following a few months in the doldrums.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence monthly index rose 4.7 points to 126.5 this month, well off November's 14-month low.
ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie said the mood was definitely upbeat, describing New Zealanders as "happy little campers" heading in the holidays.
"The fact I think it (the reading) is heading up, particularly into the Christmas trading period, is a pretty encouraging sign that people are going to be spending a bit of that hard-earned money," he said.
"Of course the Christmas sale period is when a lot of retailers actually make or break it."
Mr Bagrie said people are generally optimistic about the medium term prognosis for the economy.
"People still think it's an absolutely great time to buy a big ticket item," he said.