COVID-19: Kiwis spend up large but there's concern it won't last

Delta delivered a blow to the economy this year, and with mortgage rates rising and Omicron on the doorstep, most of us expect it will only get worse in 2022.

But it hasn't kerbed Christmas spending, with record amounts being thrown at the shops. 

And an increase in online shopping is keeping couriers busy. 

New Zealand Post chief operating officer Brendon Main says it's the busiest year he's seen. 

"Phenomenal. We thought last year was busy, but this year is 24 percent up on that again."

NZ Post's network is delivering about nine parcels every second nationwide. 

The cut off for domestic deliveries closed today and the race is now on to get presents under the tree in time. 

"We've got 1000 additional people, all our couriers, our drivers, everyone's out there doing what they can to get things where they can and we're pretty confident," Main said. 

In-store spending is breaking records too, payment data out today shows, with $1.1 billion spent in retail and hospitality nationwide over the past week. 

But the good times could be just a memory come the New Year - confidence in our economy is caving. 

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says the post-holiday season isn't looking cheery. 

"Confidence has really taken a dive as we've gone into the holiday season." 

Not even the ability to reunite with loved ones is enough to ease economic anxiety. 

"With those restrictions easing we thought households might be feeling more upbeat, but clearly there's a lot on their minds right now - not just Omicron, but also that pressure on households' balance sheets," Ranchhod said. 

Coming into another COVID Christmas, more Kiwis are concerned about their finances.