New Zealand consumer confidence has fallen from its highest level in seven years but remains elevated.
The ANZ Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell to 133 from 135.8 in January. Both the current conditions index and future conditions index slipped three points, to 127 and 137.1, respectively.
The decline wasn't enough to dent ANZ New Zealand's assessment that elevated consumer confidence points to the potential for strong economic growth, as its seasonally-adjusted measure showed a slight improvement to a seven-year high.
"It's now well flagged that interest rates are set to move up - a typical bug-bear for sentiment," said ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie on Thursday.
"However, that dynamic looks to be being usurped by the combination of rising asset prices, firming employment prospects, more people participating in the labour force, a falling unemployment rate and reasonable income growth."
