Source: Statistics New Zealand
Household living costs increase 3.0 percent annually – news story
30 October 2026
The cost of living for the average New Zealand household increased 3.0 percent in the 12 months to the September 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
The 3.0 percent increase, measured by the household living-costs price indexes (HLPIs), follows a 3.2 percent increase in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter.
“Higher petrol prices were the main contributor to the increase in living costs across each household group in the 12 months to the September 2026 quarter,” prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.
Petrol prices rose 19.1 percent over the period, accounting for almost one-quarter of the increase in the annual average household inflation rate.
Meanwhile, inflation – as measured by the consumers price index (CPI) – was 3.7 percent in the 12 months to the September 2026 quarter, following a 4.1 percent increase in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter.