Westpac has released new data that shows Canterbury and Otago are top of the savings stakes - in both regions 28 percent of Westpac customers are making monthly payments into savings, and they have the highest median savings balance of $4200. Those regions also had the highest proportion of customers with savings of $15,000 or more, at 32 percent. Auckland and Northland were at the opposite end, with only 20 percent of customers making monthly payments into savings and median savings balances of less than $1500. "We know costs are typically higher in Auckland than in other regions and that's reflected in this savings data," she said. But taking some time to review your overall spending and making small savings commitments can have a big impact over time."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2026 07:58 UTC