Kiwis more comfortable about economy

Christchurch has the highest 'consumer comfort' score of any NZ city. Photo / Jim Eagles

New Zealanders are still uncomfortable about the economy - but a little less so, according to a survey.

UMR Research's online survey of 1000 New Zealanders in April found that opinions on economic conditions improved from -36 per cent in February up to -25 per cent in April.

The overall consumer comfort index, an average of responses to economic conditions, personal finances and buying climate, rose six percentage points to 12 per cent.

Some of the biggest improvements came from men and people younger than 30: their overall scores rose from -14 per cent to -3 per cent and from -23 per cent to -12 per cent, respectively.

The smallest improvements were reported by women and people in Wellington.

The survey showed women's economic comfort levels were at -20 per cent, up from -22 per cent, while comfort levels in Wellington were -16 per cent, up from -18 per cent.

Christchurch had the highest score among the cities, at -5 per cent.

People earning less than $15,000 a year were the lowest-scoring demographic overall at -36 per cent, up from -44 per cent in February.

Meanwhile, people earning more than $70,000 were the only demographic with a positive score, at 19 per cent, up from 11 per cent.

The numbers compare favourably to the United States, whose consumer comfort index stagnated at -49 per cent.

The survey, which has been running since 1985 in the US, asks three questions:

* "Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?"

* "Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?"

* "Considering the cost of things today and your own personal finances, would you say now is an excellent time, a good time, a not so good time, or a poor time to buy the things you want and need?"

The number of "not so good" and "poor" responses are subtracted from "excellent" and "good".