The first of stats are in regarding mortgage holders' ability to deal with the new and ugly increased mortgage interest rates, and so far so good.

Those with homes and mortgages collectively paid $3.5 billion of interest to banks in the December quarter, 53 percent more than just over a year earlier when interest rates were the lowest on record.  

Record high wages have helped when it comes to mortgage holders resilience, although the rising cost of living is eating into that.  

And these are only the first of the stats - around half of the country's mortgage debt is due for refixing this year and that will increase the number of borrowers who face high interest debt.

Massey University's Claire Matthews joined Kerre Woodham.

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