Latest fromStatistics NZ

Beer hops off buyers' lists
Kiwis appear to be calling time on their love affair with beer, partly because of spiralling living costs.

Building consents hit nine-year low as home construction slumps
New Zealand building consents sank to a nine-year low in January as new home construction slumped.

Rise in high alcohol content drinks in NZ
A new report has found a big increase in the amount of high alcohol content drinks on sale to New Zealanders.

Food prices up - fruit and veg rise 7.4pc
Food prices rose 1.8 per cent in January, with the cost of fruit and vegetables going up 7.4 per cent, said Statistics New Zealand today.

Good news at last for retail- new year card transactions up
After a long period of gloom, retailers are welcoming news from Stats NZ that January saw the largest monthly increase in electronic card spending for five years.

Key: Don't lose confidence despite jobless rise
John Key says people should not lose confidence in the job market despite this morning's increase in the unemployment rate.

More workers get wage rises, jobs soft
Salary and wage rates, including overtime, grew 1.7 per cent in the year to the December quarter, says Statistics New Zealand.

Housing data 'probably cannot get any worse' - economist
Building consent figures fell sharply in December, with one economist saying they probably cannot get any worse.

Petrol prices push November retail sales up
Retail sales rose a 1.5 per cent or $82 million in November from October, boosted by rises to vehicle and fuel sales, Statistics New Zealand says.

Guest nights up 2pc in November as NZers flock to Auckland
Guest nights in short term commercial accommodation rose 2pc in November, as a big rise in domestic nights in Auckland more than overcame an overall fall in international nights.