# New Zealand CPI Eases to 3.7%

> New Zealand's inflation cooled to 3.7% but remains above central bank target as election looms.
- Title: New Zealand CPI Eases to 3.7% · BigGo Finance | Shortify
- Summary: New Zealand's inflation cooled to 3.7% but remains above central bank target as election looms. New Zealand's third-quarter CPI rose 3.7% year-on-year, below…
- Keywords: new zealand, cpi, reserve bank of new zealand, inflation, national party, new zealand general election, finance, markets, Zealand, Eases, BigGo Finance
- Source: BigGo Finance — https://finance.biggo.com/news/d8c2f28b-36ae-4d7a-9582-8b9c6b6e0abb
- Author: BigGo Finance
- Published: 2026-10-22T00:05:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new zealand, cpi, reserve bank of new zealand, inflation, national party, new zealand general election, finance, markets
## Third-Quarter CPI Data
Statistics New Zealand reported third-quarter CPI rose 3.7% year-on-year, below second quarter's 4.1% and market expectations of 3.8%.
## Quarterly Inflation Rate
CPI rose 0.7% quarter-on-quarter, below economists' forecast of 0.8%.
## Inflation Above Target
Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's 1% to 3% target range, with gasoline and residential construction costs as main drivers.
## Currency Reaction
New Zealand dollar fell to 0.5692 against the US dollar after the data release.
## Election Timing
With just over two weeks until the November 7 general election, inflation and cost of living are central campaign issues.
## Economists' Warning
Some economists warn fourth-quarter annual CPI could exceed 4.5% due to Middle East tensions pushing up fuel costs.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand's third-quarter CPI rose 3.7% year-on-year, below forecasts but still above the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's 1% to 3% target range.