New Zealanders will have access to more frequent information about changing prices from 2027, helping households, businesses, and government make better-informed decisions.
Stats NZ today announced the pathway for introducing monthly consumers price index (CPI) information in 2027.
Government Statistician and Stats NZ Chief Executive Colin Lynch says moving from quarterly to monthly information will provide a more current view of price changes across the economy.
“The CPI is used to inform decisions that affect all New Zealanders, from interest rates and government policy to business planning, contracts, and household finances,” says Colin.
“Providing a monthly CPI from 2027 represents a major change to one of New Zealand’s most important economic measures, so it is essential this is done with quality and trust at its heart.”
A monthly CPI will provide New Zealanders with more frequent and relevant information on changing prices, supporting better decision-making for everyone – from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, government departments, and businesses to households.
Pathway to monthly CPI
Key steps Stats NZ will take on the pathway to a monthly CPI are:
- Early 2027: Begin internal production testing of the monthly process.
- May 2027: Release a transitional report covering price changes in April.
- June 2027: Release a transitional report covering price changes in May.
- July 2027: Publish the first official release covering the June month and June quarter, completing the first full quarter of monthly CPI information under the new system.
- August 2027 onwards: Publish ongoing monthly CPI releases.
The transitional reports published in May and June will cover data from April and May, respectively. This will give customers an opportunity to work with the monthly data before ongoing publication begins. These reports will include data produced through the new monthly process, along with monthly figures for the previous year so users can compare how prices have changed over time.
Through these reports, users will be able to test how the data works with their systems, how they access it, and how to interpret and use monthly price movements.
“Giving customers time to become familiar with the new information is an important part of the transition,” says Colin.
“It will help them prepare their systems and analysis, provide feedback to us, and build confidence in how the monthly data should be used.
“This is not simply a matter of publishing the existing CPI more often,” says Colin.
“We have taken a digital-first approach to our modernisation. We are changing how price information is collected, processed, checked, and published so we can produce reliable information every month.
“CPI is closely watched and widely used, so maintaining the quality of the data and the trust people place in it is fundamental to how we are making this change.
“Providing relevant and trusted data that people can use is a top priority for Stats NZ.”
More information about the transitional reports, how the data should be interpreted, and how users can provide feedback will be published ahead of the first transitional report.
What is the consumers price index (CPI)? provides more information about the CPI and how it measures inflation.
Moving to a monthly CPI has recent updates on the move to a monthly CPI.
