We spent over $57 billion through the electronic payment company Paymark's network in 2016.

That's just over 6.5 percent more than in 2015.

But Paymark says a sector with noticeably below-average growth was the clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing.

Spokesman Paul Brislen said that's because the sector is facing strong competition from online merchants.

"This should be a 'look out' call for retailers in New Zealand. People are willing to shop online for these things if you can no longer hold back products or wait for the right season. People want them right now and are willing to shop internationally to get them."

Paymark says a trend to watch in 2017 is spending in the housing-related sector.

That's things like furniture, floor coverings, hardware, building and gardening supplies.

There's been a decline in spending in the sector in both the third and fourth quarters.

But Mr Brislen said overall spending in 2016 was up and they processed 1.2 billion transactions.