Inflation New Zealand 1988
Average inflation: 6.4%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 6.4%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in March at 9.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 4.7%.
- Highest month
- March: 9.0%
- Lowest month
- December: 4.7%
- Difference
- 4.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 4 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Core inflation with an average of 6.8%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 2.1%.
- Highest increase
- Core inflation: 6.8%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 2.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 5.0% lower than the 5-year average of 11.4%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (6.2% in 1984).
- 5-year average
- 11.4%
- 10-year average
- 12.7%
- All-time high (1980)
- 17.2%
- All-time low (1984)
- 6.2%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1987, inflation has fallen by +9.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -9.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- June: -12.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 4.4% 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 €106.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1988
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1987 |
|---|---|---|
| March | 9.0% | -9.3 |
| June | 6.3% | -12.6 |
| September | 5.6% | -11.3 |
| December | 4.7% | -4.9 |
| Average | 6.4% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 04/01/2026.