Car sales continued to push the volume of total retail trade sales up, with sales rising 1.9 percent in the December 2016 quarter, Statistics NZ said today.

Motor-vehicles sales led most of the quarterly industry movements over 2016.

"More expensive cars and SUV vehicles are selling well, especially in Auckland, according to comments from car dealers and industry experts," business indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.

"Some of the increase in car sales may reflect a growing population, with net migration at record levels in 2016."

After adjusting for seasonal effects, total retail sales volumes rose 0.8 percent in the latest quarter. This follows a similar 0.8 percent rise in September, and a stronger 2.2 percent rise in the June 2016 quarter.

Eleven of the 15 industries had higher sales volumes this quarter, with the largest increases in:

• motor-vehicle and parts retailing - up 1.9 percent

• pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing - up 2.5 percent

• accommodation - up 3.5 percent

• electrical and electronic goods - up 2.0 percent.