Inflation in New Zealand hits 32-year high: Fuel, food, labour costs skyrocket

Earlier this month, New Zealand's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in six years and warned further rises could follow.

Inflation in New Zealand rose to a 32-year high of 7.3 percent on-year in the second quarter, according to official figures released Monday.

Shoppers at a grocery store (AP file)

The main drivers were rising fuel, food and housing costs, said Stats NZ, putting inflation at a level last seen in 1990.

"Supply chain issues, labour costs, and higher demand have continued to push up the cost of building a new house," said Jason Attewell of Stats NZ.

Earlier this month, New Zealand's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in six years and warned further rises could follow.

ANZ Bank chief economist Sharon Zollner told TVNZ that there was a risk prices could go even higher.

She said that while inflation was making life hard for consumers, they were continuing to spend.

The government could not alter the global factors behind rising prices, Transport Minister Michael Wood has said, but that it could take some of the edge off inflation.

On Sunday, the government said relief measures for fuel and public transport would stay in place until January.