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Inflation in New Zealand hits 32-year high
The main drivers were rising fuel, food and housing costs, said Stats NZ, putting inflation at a level last seen in 1990.
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A person wearing a face mask sits at a bus stop next to posted safety guidelines on the first day of New Zealand's new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety measure that mandates wearing of a mask on public transport, in Auckland, New Zealand, August 31, 2020. (REUTERS/Fiona Goodall)
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nflation in New Zealand rose to a 32-year high of 7.3 percent on-year in the second quarter, according to official figures released Monday.
The main drivers were rising fuel, food and housing costs, said Stats NZ, putting inflation at a level last seen in 1990.
"Supply chain issues, labour costs, and higher demand have continued to push up the cost of building a new house," said Jason Attewell of Stats NZ.
Earlier this month, New Zealand's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in six years and warned further rises could follow.
ANZ Bank chief economist Sharon Zollner told TVNZ that there was a risk prices could go even higher.
She said that while inflation was making life hard for consumers, they were continuing to spend.
The government could not alter the global factors behind rising prices, Transport Minister Michael Wood has said, but that it could take some of the edge off inflation.
On Sunday, the government said relief measures for fuel and public transport would stay in place until January.
With New Zealand set to re-open its borders to all foreign travel from midnight on July 31, Nicola Willis, deputy leader of the opposing National Party, said allowing in more immigrants would help stem rising inflation.
