Annual inflation hits 3% as housing and power costs surge

Annual electricity increases are at their highest since the late 1980s. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 20 Oct 2025

Annual inflation was 3% in the 12 months to the September 2025 quarter, Stats New Zealand says.The increase follows a 2.7% increase in the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter.Economists had expected annual inflation to be 3% to 3.1%. The Reserve Bank of NZ's latest forecast was for 0.9% quarter-on-quarter and 3% year-on-year. It is mandated to keep inflation between 1% and 3%. The largest contributors to the annual inflation rate were all in the housing and household utilities group, Stats NZ said.Electricity prices...

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