Total NZ online retail spending in September was up 15% compared to September last year, according to the BNZ's Online Retail Index.

The latest report from Marketview and the BNZ also says that online buying of electrical and electronic goods (including computers) was particularly strong - up nearly 40% compared to September last year.

In July and August, the annual growth rate had been running at around 25-30% but September's new smartphone releases may well have had an effect.

Kiwis' spending at international websites remains buoyant (+26%), some of which is to do with the weaker NZ$. But, says Marketview's report, the data suggests volumes are rising nonetheless.

Growth in online spending at local merchants mirrored that for physical goods, up 7% on September last year.