Survey shows different financial personalities

Analysis of a Bank of New Zealand survey of 500 New Zealanders aged 18 and over found kiwis generally fall into four distinct groups in their attitudes to money.

"Heartlanders", who make up 43 per cent of the population, are steady and reliable types who invest carefully, prefer not to be in debt and use their money to provide for their families.

The next two biggest groups are "fun lovers" and "strategists", who make up a little under a quarter of the population each.

Fun lovers live for today, see money as providing freedom and enjoyment and are less likely to do any research before making a major purchase. They are more likely to be younger professionals.

Strategists are the opposite, thoroughly researching their latest purchase, planning their financial future carefully and rarely spending more than they can afford. They are ambitious and forward-thinking.

Lastly are "go-getters", around 13 per cent of the population, who are most likely to respect wealthy people, have great business ideas they put into action and love new things. They are most likely to be men who live in Auckland.

The partner lobbying for the furniture suite was probably a fun lover and the one cautioning against blowing the budget a strategist, said BNZ spokesman Blair Vernon.

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