The holiday season is upon us. The weather is warming up. Champagne corks are popping. And New Zealand households are starting to feel more upbeat – or at least less pessimistic – about the economic outlook. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose 8.7 points in December, taking it to a level of 88.9. That’s still well below average, with many more New Zealanders feeling pessimistic about economic conditions than those who feel optimistic. However, the rise in the index in recent months is an encouraging sign, with confidence now at its highest level in nearly two years. Underpinning the increase ... (full story)