Wellington Boxing Day Sales Drop While Wairarapa's Rise

Wellington's Boxing Day sales fell 11% while nearby Wairarapa's rose over 8%
The government's planned public sector job cuts may have made Wellingtonians more cautious about spending
Wairarapa is attracting holidaymakers with good weather and cheaper options than places like Queenstown
An economist pointed to looming public sector cuts and summer water restrictions as possible reasons for Wellington's drop
But the Minister rejected linking low spending to public sector cuts, citing cost of living and mortgage pressures instead