For the first time in 11 years, households saved more than they spent.
Official figures show people saved $200 million dollars in 2011, equal to 0.2% of household net disposable income.
Statistics New Zealand says that's a turnaround from the previous year, when household expenditure exceeded income by $1.6 billion.
BNZ economist Craig Ebert says the country is facing a big bill for the rebuild of Christchurch and higher savings means less of that cost will need to be met by foreign lenders, helping keep a lid on New Zealand's high overseas debt.
