Tills are ringing in Rotorua

City Focus spokesman Mike Steiner is happy with New Year trading results. Photo / File

Rotorua businesses are ringing up the rewards of a bumper start to the year.

According to the latest Paymark statistics, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua residents spent a combined $315.9 million in January - a 5.6 per cent increase on January 2014.

An 11 per cent increase was also recorded in the number of transactions through the network, totalling 6.79 million.

City Focus spokesman Mike Steiner was not surprised with the statistics, as business had been excellent, he said.

"I think generally trading is extremely good in Rotorua. We have had a huge influx of business, a lot of internationals coming through and lot of local people back in town, and people are finding town more attractive. There is a bit of variety - more shops are opening, the city is more centralised. Generally, as far as my retailing is concerned, it is absolutely excellent."

Rotorua Hunting and Fishing co-owner Adam Rowbotham had also experienced growth over the summer period.

"It's been good, we certainly are seeing growth but then our business lends to that summer demographic, but there is certainly growth. It's quietening down now because everyone is going back to school, but overall trading locally is on the steady increase. I've noticed a lot of businesses that come to work to deal with us are busy as well, so other businesses are doing exceptionally well, it's not just retail."

Owner of the Best Western Braeside Resort Kitty Davis said the motel sector had thrived throughout January.

"We have been extremely busy and we are almost fully booked right through until March," she said. "Rotorua itself has been quite busy. I think motels in general, over Christmas, were all completely full. We were struggling to find people accommodation."

Ms Davis said the increase was normal for the time of year.

"There are a lot of tourists coming to Rotorua and a lot of New Zealanders travelling which has boosted business. January for us is normally really busy."

Nationwide, New Zealanders spent $235 million more this January than in January 2014 - a 5.5 per cent increase.

The Paymark data showed $4.5 billion changed hands by Eftpos in the first month of 2015.

Paymark head of customer relations Mark Spicer said the growth was expected to continue throughout the year.

"Even with low fuel prices pulling the growth rate down, it's a good solid start to the year," he said. "The increase in the value and volume of transactions in January are good indicators that we can expect continued growth during 2015."