Latest CPI

Stats NZ released Q1 2013 inflation data today. The CPI went up 0.4%, and only 0.2% if you exclude the increased excise tax on tobacco. This brings the annual inflation rate to 0.9% which is good.

I had a look at the electricity component of the CPI and power prices went up only 0.15% in the last quarter.

National has now been in Government for 17 quarters. The total increase in electricity prices over those 17 quarters has been 16.4%.

During the last 17 quarters of Labour, electricity prices increased 33.1%.

The moral of the story is it is very easy to promise things. But I think you need to judge those promises against their record.