Find a branch
Contact
Help
New research from Westpac NZ shows only 13% of New Zealanders are always comfortable splitting a bill evenly, with fairness the biggest sticking point. The findings reinforce the message of the bank’s new brand campaign, which highlights the shared money thoughts many New Zealanders have.
A nationally-representative survey of 522 people, conducted on research platform Ideally earlier this month, found 39% of people feel uncomfortable splitting the bill in situations where someone has ordered significantly more than others, while 32% said they felt uncomfortable if one person wasn’t drinking alcohol when others were. Nearly a quarter – 23% – said they were always uncomfortable splitting the bill, while only 13% said they were always okay with splitting a bill evenly.
Sarah Williams, Westpac NZ Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, says the bank’s new brand campaign looks at people’s money hopes, dreams and bugbears, leaning into the collective thoughts we all have.
“Money remains an uncomfortable topic for many of us, but talking about the way we feel often reveals that we’re not alone,” Ms Williams says.
“From feeling pressured to keep up with your friends through to worrying if you can afford to have a baby or inwardly groaning when someone says, ‘let’s split the bill!’, the chances are if you’re thinking it, other people are too.”
The survey also showed “friendflation”, where people struggle to keep up with their friends financially, is something impacting many New Zealanders. One in four people said they’d made up an excuse to avoid having to admit to friends that an event was too expensive for them.
“We want to help New Zealanders to manage their finances and achieve their goals. We’d love our new campaign to encourage people to talk more openly about money.”
Westpac NZ’s Creative Partner, Goldilocks, oversaw the production and direction of the new “Collective Thought” TVC and broader campaign.
Dan Wright, Goldilocks Chief Creative Experience Officer, says it’s exciting to have the campaign now live in market.
“We wanted to lean into the fact that most people’s relationship with money is a bit messy – we’re not all ticking off financial milestones one by one.
“We worked closely with the team at Westpac to bring this campaign to life, and are excited about the journey ahead as we continue to develop the brand.”
Ms Williams says Westpac encourages people to get in touch to chat through their money goals.
“Together Greater isn’t just something we talk about in our advertising. It’s what our people bring to life every day. Our bankers work alongside New Zealanders through some of life’s biggest decisions, and plenty of the smaller ones too. Sometimes that starts with a simple conversation, but it can make a real difference to what happens next.
“And alongside our people, we’ve got tools and products that can help make managing money a little easier, from our free Managing Your Money financial education workshops through to our new savings tool Split, which automatically moves your money into the accounts you choose.”
ENDS
Survey results
In which of these situations would you feel uncomfortable about splitting the bill evenly? Select all that apply.
|
When you're on a date
|
13% |
|
When you're out with friends
|
6% |
|
When you're out with colleagues
|
7% |
|
When you're out with family
|
11% |
|
When someone earns significantly more than everyone else
|
11% |
|
When someone has ordered significantly more than everyone else
|
39% |
|
When someone has had significantly less than everyone else
|
32% |
|
When someone isn't drinking alcohol but the rest of the group are
|
32% |
|
I am always uncomfortable splitting the bill; everyone should always pay for what they ordered
|
23% |
|
None of these, I am always comfortable splitting the bill evenly
|
13% |
Which, if any, of the following have you done in the past 12 months because social plans with friends exceeded your comfortable spending limit? Select all that apply.
|
Attended anyway and put the expense on credit / stretched my personal budget
|
14% |
|
Made up an excuse (like being busy or sick) to avoid admitting an event was too expensive
|
25% |
|
Openly told a friend that an activity or trip was out of my price range
|
24% |
|
Had to cut back on essential personal savings or everyday spending to afford a social commitment
|
23% |
|
Resented a friend or group for planning something without considering everyone's budget
|
8% |
|
Skipped or declined an event entirely to protect my finances
|
35% |
|
None of the above - social spending does not strain my budget or friendships
|
33% |
Editor’s note: Survey was conducted by Ideally on 14 October 2026. It was completed by 522 respondents aged between 18 and 80, with the margin of error of 4.6% at a 95% level of confidence.