New Zealand: cost of living

How much have electricity prices risen in New Zealand?

Electricity prices in New Zealand were 9.0% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, and gas prices 11.0% higher, according to Stats NZ's selected price indexes, released on 18 September 2026. Electricity prices fell 0.1% in the month.

The figures are part of the Consumers Price Index and track prices paid by households, including fixed daily charges and per-unit rates. Individual bills depend on the retailer, plan, region and usage. The September 2026 selected price indexes are due on 16 October 2026.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Selected price indexes, August 2026

How much has diesel gone up in New Zealand?

Diesel prices in New Zealand were 45.8% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, and rose 8.6% in the month, according to Stats NZ's selected price indexes. Petrol prices rose 17.9% over the year and international air transport 21.5%.

Fuel prices follow international oil prices and the exchange rate, along with taxes. Diesel is used mainly by trucks, farm machinery and some cars, so higher diesel prices also feed into the cost of transporting goods. The Treasury's year-end financial statements noted that higher fuel prices added to inflation in the last quarter of the 2025/26 year.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Selected price indexes, August 2026

How much are living costs rising for New Zealand households?

Living costs for the average New Zealand household rose 1.4% in the June 2026 quarter, according to Stats NZ's household living-costs price indexes, released on 28 July 2026. Costs rose 1.5% for beneficiaries and for the lowest-spending households, 1.4% for superannuitants and Māori households, and 1.0% for the highest-spending households.

Unlike the Consumers Price Index, these indexes include interest payments and weight prices by what each household group actually spends. Groups that spend a larger share on food, energy and rent can see faster rises when those prices climb.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Household living-costs price indexes, June 2026 quarter

What is core inflation in New Zealand?

New Zealand's Consumers Price Index excluding food, household energy and vehicle fuels rose 2.5% in the year to the June 2026 quarter, according to Stats NZ, released on 21 July 2026. Headline inflation was 4.1%, tradeables inflation 4.9% and non-tradeables inflation 3.4%.

Removing food and energy, which are volatile, gives a guide to underlying price pressures. Tradeables are goods and services affected by overseas prices, such as fuel; non-tradeables, such as rents and local services, reflect domestic conditions. The September quarter CPI is due in October 2026.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Consumers price index, June 2026 quarter

How many children live in poverty in New Zealand?

12.6% of New Zealand children lived in households with less than half the median equivalised disposable income before housing costs in the year ended June 2025, according to Stats NZ, released on 26 February 2026. 17.8% lived below the after-housing-costs measure, and 14.3% lived in households in material hardship.

None of the three primary measures under the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 changed significantly from the year before. Compared with the 2018 baseline, the before-housing-costs rate was down 3.9 percentage points and the after-housing-costs rate down 5.0 points, while material hardship showed no significant change.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Child poverty statistics, year ended June 2025

How fast are prices rising in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 2.8%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 7.2%; its low point was 2015, at 0.3%. It is 10th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.2%. Worldwide: 86th of 165.

How much do people in New Zealand spend?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in New Zealand was $25,486 in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from $19,056 (2005) to $26,237 (2022). It is 2nd highest of 22 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $4,470. World rank, highest first: 10th of 153.

How many people in New Zealand face food insecurity?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in New Zealand at 17.9% in 2024. No year since 2015 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.4%, and New Zealand placed 8th highest of 17. Worldwide: 71st of 135.