Families have fared better than expected during our latest lockdown

Data from Westpac's latest confidence survey shows households still expect their financial situation to improve over the coming year.

But regions such as Auckland, Otago and Canterbury have still seen big dips in confidence.

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says it's a big change from during last year's restrictions... and households are taking the latest hurdle in their stride.