Inflation New Zealand 1982

Average inflation: 16.2%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 16.2%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in June at 17.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 15.3%.

Highest month
June: 17.0%
Lowest month
December: 15.3%
Difference
1.7 percentage points
Months with data
4 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Core inflation with an average of 17.2%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 12.5%.

Highest increase
Core inflation: 17.2%
Lowest increase
Food: 12.5%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.3% higher than the 5-year average of 14.9%. This approaches the highest level since records began (17.2% in 1980).

5-year average
14.9%
10-year average
14%
All-time high (1980)
17.2%
All-time low (1972)
7%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1981, the difference is minimal (+0.9 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.9 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
June: +1.9 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 14.2% 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 €116.20 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1982

Inflation by category

Food
12.5%
-3.7vs avg.
More details →
Energy
14.4%
-1.8vs avg.
More details →
Core inflation
17.2%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1981
March 15.8% +0.6
June 17.0% +1.9
September 16.6% +1.2
December 15.3% -0.4
Average 16.2%

Data source

Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 04/01/2026.

See also