New research has found 59 percent of New Zealanders are at risk of not meeting mortgage repayments

The Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association survey, found nearly a quarter spend over half their income on mortgage repayments each month.

It comes as recent Stats NZ data shows cost of living for the average household, increased by almost four percent in the year to September.

Country manager Leigh Hodgetts says cost increases are putting pressure on bigger repayments like mortgages.

She says there's been an upwards increase in basic necessities like groceries, utilities, rates, and insurance.