Kiwis struggling to stay afloat have turned to credit cards to bridge the cap amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

New credit card application enquiries have reached their highest level since 2021- and card arrears have jumped 4.4 percent in August.

Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann says living costs have increased and bills have piled up - and people feel the need to borrow their way through it.

"From power, from kids' sports fees - it could be many different situations. And this is just one way to get through it."

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