Further signs the cost-of-living is hurting Kiwis

Financial Services Complaints Limited has seen a 17 percent increase in financial complaints, and a 36 percent rise in disputes in the six months to December last year.

They usually relate to car, personal, and credit cards loans - while issues with financial advisers are also growing.

Financial Ombudsmen Susan Taylor says the increasing financial pressure, due to the higher cost of living and interest rates, is translating to a continuing rise in complaints.

She expects the number of complaints to keep growing while those cost-of-living pressures remain.