The bar chart shows the percentage in New Zealand using checks, direct debit cards, and credit cards to make payments from 1993 to 2003.
Overall, the use of checks decreased while the use of debit cards increased.
To begin, in 1993, checks were by far the most popular payment method, at 55%, while direct debit cards and credit cards accounted for only 8% and 5%, respectively. After 1993, however, the percentage of people using checks steadily decreased, finishing at only 11% in 2003. Conversely, direct debit cards increased in popularity, showing an upward trend in use until 2003, when almost 40% of all purchases were made by direct credit cards. Credit card usage remained relatively stable; the use of credit cards rose in a fluctuating trend.
The percentage of people using credit cards was equal to the percentage of people using checks in 2001 (15%). In the final year shown on the chart (2003), credit card use accounted for approximately 12% of the total percentage of payments.