New Zealand fuel prices fall for a third month, while airfares rise sharply

Tauranga, August 18 (Yaoxin) —Petrol and diesel prices in New Zealand dropped for a third month in a row from June to July, official data showed on Monday. At the same time, domestic and international airfares recorded strong monthly increases.

Petrol prices fell 5.7 percent and diesel prices dropped 12.1 percent, according to Stats NZ. Both fuels are now below their March levels, though they remain higher than in February.

Over the 12 months to July, petrol prices rose 15.1 percent and diesel prices increased 34.9 percent.

Domestic airfares jumped 20.7 percent in July from June. This was the largest monthly rise since Stats NZ began collecting monthly data in 2015. International airfares increased 10.9 percent over the same period.

In the year to July 2026, domestic airfares rose 14 percent and international airfares rose 3.5 percent.

Food prices increased 1.9 percent in the year to July. This was the smallest annual rise since December 2024, said Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden.