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Story: Spending in the economy

Electronic spending

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Electronic spending

Since the 1980s digital technology has changed the spending process, through the use of credit, debit, prepaid and automatic teller cards, which carry an identification number and account details on a magnetised strip. The strip is read by automatic teller machines and electronic fund transaction terminals. Credit and debit cards are also used to buy goods and services over the internet.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Paul Dalziel, Spending in the economy – Spending and investing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/23237/electronic-spending (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Paul Dalziel, published 4 March 2010, updated 16 September 2016.