New Zealand Fuel Prices Explode in April 2026 as Iran War Drives Diesel Up 91.3% Annually

New Zealand's latest price index data, released Thursday by Stats NZ, reveals sweeping cost increases across the country in April 2026, with fuel prices leading the surge. Petrol jumped 12.6% in a single month and 30.1% annually, while diesel skyrocketed 36.6% monthly and a staggering 91.3% compared to April 2025. Electricity costs also climbed 2.4% monthly and 13.1% annually, with gas rising 0.3% monthly and 10.8% year-on-year. Food costs held flat monthly but rose 2.6% annually, with meat, poultry, and fish recording the sharpest food increase at 7.8% yearly. Cigarettes and tobacco rose 5.5% annually. Meanwhile, domestic accommodation fell 5.7% monthly, and international accommodation dropped 7.2% monthly. Rental property prices remained relatively stable, with the flow measure rising just 0.2% monthly and 0.3% annually.