According to new analysis from Dot Loves Data, there is a rise in food and drink expenses across New Zealand’s major cities, indicating potential early signs of an economic recovery.
The data spanning July 2024 to July 2025 reveals a steady year-on-year rise in consumer spending on food and drink, including cafés, restaurants, fast food outlets, bars, and catering services, across all major cities in New Zealand.
“All of these city centres have shown three months’ growth compared with the same period in 2024 except Wellington, which saw its first uplift in July,” Dot Loves Data director Justin Lester said.
The highest annual growth rates were recorded in Hamilton with a 9.62% increase, Queenstown at 8.53%, and Christchurch at 7.09%.
Traditionally stable areas such as Wellington, which rose by 5.10%, Tauranga, up 5.98%, and Dunedin, increasing by 5.42%, showed strong growth. Meanwhile, Auckland, despite its size, achieved a 3.82% rise, reflecting consistent spending patterns nationwide.
“The uptick is more than a seasonal trend; it’s a strong signal that Kiwis are once again opening their wallets for hospitality and discretionary purchases,” Lester said.
“What we’re seeing isn’t just people eating out more. It’s a reflection of confidence returning to the economy, particularly among middle-income households and urban centres,” he added.
Lester said the increase might also indicate that falling interest rates are putting more cash into the hands of middle-income households.
“If the upward trend in consumer spending continues, it could mark the early stages of a more broad-based economic recovery.”