The latest statistics from the Bureau of Statistics reveal how stressful life is for ordinary people in New Zealand?

Comprehensive report from New Zealand Chinese Herald According to the latest data released by Statistics New Zealand, New Zealand’s cost of living pressure continues to increase. Three out of every five low-income households paying rent or mortgages spend at least 40% of their income on housing expenses.

In addition, 1 in 11 people in New Zealand are experiencing “material hardship”.

Victoria Treliving, spokesperson for the Bureau of Statistics’ household financial statistics, said more and more people feel that their current income is unable or barely enough to support daily life (such as accommodation, food and clothing). 40.6% of the households surveyed believe that their income is “not enough” or “barely enough”, an increase from 38.5% last year.

The official definition of “material poverty” is the lack of 7 or more of 18 necessities of life. This includes postponing medical treatment to save money, being forced to buy cheaper or less meat, and not being able to afford a home computer or internet.

The data shows household incomes growing slightly faster than housing costs in the year to June 2025. Average weekly household earnings and disposable income increased from $1,977.70 to $2,077.70 (a 5.1% increase, not adjusted for inflation). Average weekly housing spending increased from $457.90 to $478.00 (a 4.4% increase).

Despite the rise in incomes, household spending on housing as a proportion of disposable income has barely changed, with about $22.30 of every $100 of disposable income spent on housing, as housing costs rise in tandem.

renting household

Renters pay an average of $505.50 per month in rent. Their average weekly rent expenditure increased by 9%, which was basically the same as the previous year’s 8.8%.

Statistics New Zealand said 55.2 per cent of renters surveyed felt their income was “not enough” or “barely enough”. In the year to June 2024, it was 55.4%.

Families with mortgages

Statistics New Zealand said total mortgage payments for homeowners with a mortgage increased by 4.9 per cent year-on-year.

Interest expense is the main reason for this increase, from $423.40 per week in 2024 to $452.10 per week in 2025.

Principal repayments remain unchanged at $252.60 per week in 2025.

Of the households surveyed with mortgages, 38.9% felt their income was “not enough” or “barely enough” to meet daily needs (such as food, clothing and accommodation). The previous year this proportion was 34.6%.

low income families

Among low-income households with a disposable income of less than $72,600, 60.6% of mortgage holders and 57.7% of renters spend at least 40% of their income on housing.

“Housing affordability continues to be a challenge for low-income households in the year to June 2025. Three in five low-income households, including those who rent or pay a mortgage, spend 40% or more of their income on housing,” Treliving said.