Stats NZ released their latest subnational population estimates this week, providing us with an annual reading of how population growth has affected each corner of the country. In this article, we explore the high-level themes for population growth in 2025, before diving into specific cities or districts to illustrate the trends we’re seeing.

New Zealand’s rarest stamp, the upside-down Lake Taupō, has changed hands again, but its modest long-term return highlights how investment performance can vary widely. As our Chart of the Month shows, some assets have delivered far stronger growth over the same period, even after accounting for inflation.

Energy is fundamental to economic growth and living standards. Here we look at how well New Zealand’s energy sector has been able to balance security, equity and sustainability, and the challenges it will face balancing them in the future.

New Zealand is an increasingly multicultural society. Here we look at the different ways that ethnic communities contribute to our economy.

Inflation data for the September quarter was released earlier this week, showing an increase in the annual inflation rate from 2.7% to 3.0%. Inflation is now sitting at the top of the Reserve Bank’s 1-3%pa target band.

The Reserve Bank is walking a fine line between kick-starting the economy’s recovery and overstimulating growth by the end of next year, according to Infometrics’ latest forecasts.

The pace of supplier cost increases to Foodstuffs supermarkets was unchanged last month, with the Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index (GSCI) showing an average 2.3% increase in what suppliers charged in September 2025, compared to a year earlier.

Working from home (WFH) has become a standard option for many workers, and it has helped to reshape regional working and commuting trends. With three years of post-lockdown data now available on WFH trends, our analysis shows that WFH patterns have largely bedded in.

In July, the government moved to streamline regulations around standards for building materials. The changes effectively recognise several overseas standards for building products as being suitable for application in New Zealand, including standards from Australia, Canada, Europe, the UK, and the US.

This analysis was first published for Infometrics clients, and was then made publicly accessible following a request to republish by Interest.co.nz.