Consumer prices in New Zealand climbed 2.2 percent on year in the first quarter of 2017, Statistics New Zealand said on Thursday.
That topped forecasts for a gain of 2.0 percent following the 1.3 percent increase in the previous three months.
Housing and household utilities increased 3.3 percent on year.
On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, consumer prices were up 1.0 percent - again exceeding forecasts for 0.8 percent and up from 0.4 percent in the three months prior.
Food prices rose 2.2 percent, influenced by higher prices for fruit (up 16 percent).
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