A new cost of living index which would more accurately capture housing costs has been recommended by a review of the way the statisticians measure inflation.
Sunday, October 17th 2004, 8:40AM
by The Landlord
An advisory committee chaired by National Bank chief economist Dr John McDermott found Statistics NZ's consumers price index did a good job of measuring inflation for the purposes of the Reserve Bank and, therefore, the financial markets.
The committee recommended only minor changes to the CPI, such as scrapping the seasonal adjustment of fruit and vegetables.
But it recommended it be supplemented by an annual cost of living measure more tailored to such purposes as pay negotiations or the indexation of benefits.
