Source: Statistics New Zealand
Household living costs increase 3.2 percent – news story
28 July 2026
The cost of living for the average New Zealand household increased 3.2 percent in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
The 3.2 percent increase, measured by the household living-costs price indexes (HLPIs), follows a 2.1 percent increase in the 12 months to the March 2026 quarter.
“Higher petrol prices were the largest contributor to the increase in household living costs in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.
Meanwhile, inflation – as measured by the consumers price index (CPI) – was 4.1 percent in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter, following a 3.1 percent increase in the 12 months to the March 2026 quarter.