ASB says a rise in spending is largely down to new-found consumer confidence

StatsNZ data shows electronic card transactions increased a seasonally adjusted 1.5-percent in December, compared to November.

Every spending category except motor vehicles, rose month-on-month.

Senior Economist Mark Smith says it's a stronger result than expected.

He says there's been a lift in consumer sentiment, driven by lower interest rates and a drop in cost-of-living pressures on households.