WS News
16 Sep 2026, 05:46
New Zealand Consumer Confidence Jumps in Q3 as Current Account Deficit Narrows
New Zealand consumer confidence improved sharply in the third quarter, while separate current account data showed the country’s external deficit narrowed in the second quarter.
The Westpac Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 89.5 in Q3 from 80.4 previously. The 9.1-point increase signals a substantial improvement in household sentiment, although the index remaining below 100 indicates pessimists still outnumber optimists.
New Zealand’s current account deficit came in at NZ$1.67 billion in Q2, considerably narrower than the NZ$2.57 billion deficit expected. On a year-over-year basis, the current account deficit narrowed to NZ$14.58 billion from NZ$16.30 billion previously.
Taken together, the figures provide a more constructive signal for New Zealand’s economy, with household confidence recovering and the external imbalance improving. However, consumer sentiment remaining below the neutral 100 level suggests households are still cautious despite the quarterly rebound.
New Zealand consumer confidence improved sharply in the third quarter, while separate current account data showed the country’s external deficit narrowed in the second quarter.
The Westpac Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 89.5 in Q3 from 80.4 previously. The 9.1-point increase signals a substantial improvement in household sentiment, although the index remaining below 100 indicates pessimists still outnumber optimists.
New Zealand’s current account deficit came in at NZ$1.67 billion in Q2, considerably narrower than the NZ$2.57 billion deficit expected. On a year-over-year basis, the current account deficit narrowed to NZ$14.58 billion from NZ$16.30 billion previously.
Taken together, the figures provide a more constructive signal for New Zealand’s economy, with household confidence recovering and the external imbalance improving. However, consumer sentiment remaining below the neutral 100 level suggests households are still cautious despite the quarterly rebound.
