New Zealand credit score data released in August shows that residents in the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions hold the highest median credit scores in the country, led by Tasman at a median of 765, according to figures from Centrix. A credit score is a numerical rating between zero and 1000 assigned by a credit rating agency to illustrate an individual’s creditworthiness, based on payment history, debt levels, and historical defaults.
Regional Credit Score Rankings Across New Zealand
Tasman and Nelson share the top spot nationwide, with Tasman registering a median score of 765—up one point from 2024—and Nelson rising six points to also sit at 765, according to Centrix data. Marlborough follows closely behind with a median score of 760, marking a seven-point increase from the previous year.
At the other end of the spectrum, Auckland, Gisborne, and Northland recorded the lowest median scores in the country. Auckland’s median credit score improved by two points from 2024 to reach 732, while Gisborne rose four points to 714, and Northland climbed six points to 738.
Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon attributes the regional score disparities primarily to population age demographics. Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough rank fifth, first, and second respectively out of 16 New Zealand regions for their share of residents aged 65 and older.
Brunsdon explained that senior demographics typically feature higher rates of homeownership alongside built-up lifetime wealth, leading to diminished reliance on borrowing and fewer instances of late payments damaging their credit ratings.
In contrast, Auckland holds the youngest population profile nationwide, with only 13% of residents aged 65 and older, compared to 22% to 25% across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough. Brunsdon also noted that stronger recent South Island economic performance and broader levels of wealth and deprivation influence regional credit outcomes.
Age Demographics and Consumer Behavior
Centrix data indicates a clear correlation between age and credit score performance. New Zealanders aged 50 and older recorded a median credit score of 770, while the 18-to-24 age bracket registered the lowest median score at 618.
Centrix chief operating officer Monika Lacey explained that accumulated life experience equips older generations to manage expenses during tighter financial periods. Older consumers frequently benefit from higher established incomes later in life, alongside reduced mortgage commitments and fewer household dependents.
Lacey noted that individuals over 50 who maintain housing loans frequently have the majority of their debt cleared away. Consequently, their ongoing financial outlays sit below those of younger adults in their thirties or forties who juggle larger home loans alongside raising children.
Centrix data broken down by age band shows that older people tended to have higher median scores:
- 18–24: 618
- 25–29: 681
- 30–39: 718
- 40–49: 745
- 50–64: 770
- 65+: 770
Consumer Arrears and Financial Hardship Trends
Nationwide consumer arrears remained steady at 10.74% of the population holding active credit in August, according to Centrix figures released in September. A total of 424,000 New Zealanders were behind on loan repayments, though total arrears figures tracked 11.2% lower than the same period in the previous year.
Mortgage arrears dropped from 1.22% in July to 1.19% in August, hitting their lowest level since December 2022 and sitting 13% below figures recorded a year prior. Lacey noted that while rising interest rates apply financial pressure, the impact experiences a lag because the majority of borrowers hold fixed-rate mortgage terms with time remaining before renewal.
Despite stable mortgage metrics, financial hardship reporting edged upward. Centrix recorded 14,500 accounts in active hardship, representing an increase of 500 accounts from the previous month and a 2.2% rise year-on-year. Overall consumer borrowing demand remained soft as households exercised increased caution in credit decisions. Meanwhile, corporate liquidations maintained a 14% increase on a rolling 12-month basis, driven primarily by the construction sector despite activity in that industry sitting 1% lower than the previous year.