Hawke's Bay is again in the vanguard for spending growth through the Paymark system, recording the second-highest increase in March as well as the March quarter.
In March Hawke's Bay recorded 10.8 per cent growth over the same month last year , behind Palmerston North on 11.1 per cent. The national average was 7.4 per cent growth.
For the March quarter Hawke's Bay recorded 8.1 per cent growth behind the Bay of Plenty on 8.5 per cent growth. The national average was 5.7 per cent growth.
Paymark said regional New Zealand led spending growth over the past quarter - underlying spending growth was highest outside of the major centres, moderate in the major centres and low in the top half of the South Island.
Travellers increased spending with hospitality merchants such as hotels, camps, cafes and bars by 9.9 per cent between the March quarters of 2016 and 2017.