Domestic airfares up 10.6% in year to February

Domestic airfares increased in price 10.6% in the year to February 2026, according to the latest figures released by Stats NZ.

International air travel meanwhile is up 1.8% over the same period.

"This is the largest annual increase in domestic airfares in a February month since 2023," prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

The figures don't account for recent prices hikes caused by rising oil prices in the wake of the Iran war, which had also seen Air NZ cancel around 1100 flights and reaccommodate passengers on other services.

The Stats NZ data showed food prices had increased 4.5% in the 12 months to February 2026. It comes after a 4.2% increase in the year to January.

Higher prices for meat, poultry and fish (up 7.5%) were the largest contributor, followed by fruit and vegetables (up 9.4%).

Non-alcoholic beverages, which was up 4.9%, general grocery food (2.9%), and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (2.7%) were also up year-on-year.

Growden said the average price of beef mince was now $4.60 more than the same period in 2025.

“This is the largest annual price increase in beef mince prices since the series began in June 2006.

"Kiwis may have seen cheaper prices for some snacks, with the cost of potato crisps, sweets, and chocolate biscuits decreasing over the last 12 months."

Stats NZ also noted electricity had increased by 13.2% since February 2025, and gas had increased 13.1%.

Meanwhile monthly food prices deceased 0.1% in February.

"The grocery food group contributed the most to the monthly decrease, down 0.4 percent, followed by fruit and vegetables, down 0.8 percent, and meat, poultry, and fish, down 0.1 percent.

"Meanwhile, higher prices were recorded for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, up 0.3 percent, followed by the non-alcoholic beverages group, up 0.5 percent."

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Growden noted boxed chocolates were $3.82 cheaper than in January 2026, which is a follows a typical pattern from other years.

“There is often a price decrease in February that coincides with Valentine’s Day.”