Fuel prices in decline
Petrol and diesel prices decreased between April and May this year, falling by 3.8 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively, according to figures from Stats NZ.
Nicola Growden, prices and deflators spokesperson, says: “The decreases in May 2026 follow rises for both petrol and diesel in March and April 2026.”
Despite last month’s drop, prices for the two fuel types increased in the 12 months to May 2026, with petrol up by 28.7 per cent and diesel rising 76.8 per cent.
The figures from Stats NZ’s selected price indexes also show the food group increased by one per cent last month when compared with April, and was up by 3.2 per cent annually.
Power bills were also on the rise, with electricity prices climbing 1.4 per cent month-on-month and by 12.1 per cent from a year ago. The price of gas grew by 0.5 per cent and 10.5 per cent for the same respective periods.
Meanwhile, domestic and international airfares dropped by 11.4 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively between April and May. Year-on-year, domestic air transport prices were 2.8 per cent higher and international fares were up by 8.2 per cent.
