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Survey Shows 60% of New Zealanders Concerned About Impact of Middle East Conflict on Finances, Westpac Says

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A survey conducted early this month showed that 60% of New Zealanders are still concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on their finances despite lower fuel prices, Westpac NZ on Wednesday said.

In April, 76% of New Zealanders had expressed the same concern, the bank said.

The July 7 survey of 535 people on research platform Ideally also showed that 19% of New Zealanders were "very concerned." A further 41% still had some level of concern, and 5% said they had no concerns at all.

In addition, 44% of respondents were driving less to offset higher costs, 31% had changed how they shop for groceries, and 25% had deferred planned large purchases.

Businesses exposed to high prices, including in the transport, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, still reported tough conditions, said Reuben Tucker, managing director of institutional and business banking at Westpac NZ.

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