WELLINGTON: New Zealand consumer confidence fell from a six-month high but remained solidly positive in February, as respondents were feeling slightly less optimistic of their own and the economy's prospects, a survey showed on Thursday.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell to 124 from 128.9 in January.

A reading above 100 shows optimism, while below 100 indicates pessimism.

The survey showed fewer consumers were expecting to be financially better off over the coming year, and also there was less optimism about the broader economic outlook over the near and longer term.

Expectations for consumer price inflation over the next two years eased to 3.2 percent from 3.7 percent in the previous survey.

Official data earlier this week showed retail sales volumes surged 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter driven by strong vehicle related sales activity and more spending in restaurants and bars.

Copyright Reuters, 2015