Inflation New Zealand 1979
Average inflation: 13.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 13.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 16.5%. The lowest inflation was in March at 10.4%.
- Highest month
- December: 16.5%
- Lowest month
- March: 10.4%
- Difference
- 6.1 percentage points
- Months with data
- 4 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 26.0%. The lowest price increase was in Core inflation with an average of 12.5%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 26.0%
- Lowest increase
- Core inflation: 12.5%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% lower than the 5-year average of 14.3%.
- 5-year average
- 14.3%
- 10-year average
- 12%
- All-time high (1976)
- 16.9%
- All-time low (1972)
- 7%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1978, the difference is minimal (+1.6 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +6.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 11.6% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €113.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1979
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1978 |
|---|---|---|
| March | 10.4% | -4.2 |
| June | 12.4% | +0.1 |
| September | 15.2% | +4.1 |
| December | 16.5% | +6.4 |
| Average | 13.6% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 04/01/2026.