Household cost of living accelerates to 3.2% annual increase
New Zealand households' cost of living rose 3.2% in the year to June, the largest jump in over four years, driven mainly by petrol prices.
The average household's cost of living increased 3.2% in the 12 months to the June quarter, up from 2.1% in the March quarter year-on-year. This marks the largest rise in more than four years. Higher petrol prices, stemming from international factors, were the biggest contributor to the increase.
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What outlets are saying
Stuff
The rising cost of living has accelerated
The average household’s cost of living increased 3.2% in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter, up from 2.1% in the year to March.
The Spinoff
The cost of being: A dad and first-time home owner who hates sneaky fees
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 35-year-old working in finance explains his approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire…
NZ Herald
Cost of living: Petrol prices push superannuitants’ costs above inflation
The cost of living for the average household had the largest jump in more than four years.
BusinessDesk
Living costs rise for Kiwi households in June quarter
Living costs for the average New Zealand household rose 3.2% in the June quarter compared with the same period in 2025, with higher fuel prices resulting from the Iran war being the largest contributing factor, Stats NZ says. Stats NZ…
interest.co.nz
Household living costs hit highest level since September 2024
Annual household living costs rose 3.2% in the June quarter with petrol prices the biggest contributor to the increase, Statistics NZ says
Newstalk ZB
Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist says NZ on the cost of living rising 3.2% in the year to June
An economist says New Zealand is no longer in a cost of living crisis.