Centrix Data Shows Nelson and Tasman Hold Highest Credit Scores

People living in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough hold the highest median credit scores in New Zealand, according to credit bureau Centrix data. A credit score is a numerical rating between zero and 1000 that illustrates an individual’s creditworthiness based on payment reliability, debt levels, and default history.

Regional Credit Score Variations Across New Zealand

Data from Centrix shows Tasman and Nelson tied at the top of the national table with a median score of 765 in August, representing a one-point increase for Tasman and a six-point rise for Nelson compared to 2024. Marlborough followed closely behind with a median score of 760, up seven points from 2024.

At the other end of the scale, Auckland, Gisborne, and Northland recorded the lowest median scores in the country. Auckland’s median score rose just two points since 2024 to reach 732, while Gisborne increased four points to 714, and Northland climbed six points to 738.

Older Populations Drive Regional Wealth Disparities

Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon attributed the regional disparities largely to population age structures. Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough rank fifth, first, and second respectively out of 16 regions for their share of residents aged 65 and older.

Older age groups are more likely to own their homes outright and have built up lifetime wealth, reducing their reliance on debt and late payments, according to Brunsdon. Conversely, Auckland features the youngest population in the country, with only 13 percent of residents aged 65 or older, compared to 22 to 25 percent in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.

Centrix chief operating officer Monika Lacey noted that life experience also equips older generations to manage finances through difficult economic cycles. People over 50 recorded a median credit score of 770, while those aged 18 to 24 held the lowest median score at 618.

Additional age band median scores reported by Centrix include:

• 18-24: 618
• 25-29: 681
• 30-39: 718
• 40-49: 745
• 50-64: 770
• 65+: 770

Consumer Arrears Steady as Mortgage Arrears Drop

Nationwide consumer arrears remained steady at 10.74 percent of the active credit population in August. Centrix data revealed that 424,000 individuals were behind on repayments, though total arrears were down 11.2 percent compared to a year ago.

Mortgage arrears dropped to 1.19 percent in August from 1.22 percent in July, reaching their lowest level since December 2022 and sitting 13 percent lower year-on-year. However, financial hardship metrics showed upward movement, with 14,500 accounts reported in hardship—an increase of 500 from the previous month and up 2.2 percent from a year earlier.

Borrowing activity stayed below previous year levels as consumers adopted a cautious approach to credit products. Meanwhile, company liquidations remained elevated at 14 percent higher on a rolling 12-month basis, driven primarily by the construction sector despite activity in that industry sitting 1 percent lower than a year prior.