Petrol and diesel prices in New Zealand decreased by 3.8% and 11.4%, respectively, in May compared with the previous month, according to a Stats NZ selected price indexes report on Tuesday.
"The decreases in May follow rises for both petrol and diesel in March and April," said prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden.
Food prices rose 1% in May compared with the previous month, driven primarily by a 1% increase in grocery food prices, while fruit and vegetable prices climbed 2.5%.
Domestic and international airfares fell 11.4% and 5.5% respectively in May compared with April, while electricity and gas prices increased by 1.4% and 0.5% respectively over the same period.
"Decreases in airfares were recorded in May, in line with historical trends for the month," Growden added.
Food prices increased by 3.2% on an annual basis in May, compared with a 2.6% increase in the 12 months to April, driven mainly by a 6.9% rise in meat, poultry, and fish prices, alongside a 3.3% increase in restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food.
Petrol and diesel prices both increased over the 12 months to May, rising by nearly 28.7% and 76.8%, respectively.