ANZ Commodity Prices Surge as StatsNZ Revises Dwelling Data

The ANZ World Commodity Price Index recorded a significant increase in March 2026, while StatsNZ issued downward revisions to the total number of private dwellings in New Zealand, according to economic data reported by Interest.co.nz on April 7, 2026.

Commodity Price Surge

The ANZ World Commodity Price Index rose by 4.1% in March 2026 compared to February 2026. This increase was primarily driven by a conflict in the Middle East that began at the end of February 2026, which pushed various commodity prices higher throughout March.

This surge represents the second-highest monthly increase on record for the index in world price terms. The only higher monthly increase occurred in March 2022, following the outbreak of the war between Russia, and Ukraine.

Private Dwelling Revisions

StatsNZ has adjusted its data regarding private dwellings in New Zealand. As of March 2026, there are 2,117,500 private dwellings. This figure follows revisions based on the 2023 Census and the correction of previous data assumption errors.

These corrections resulted in the December 2025 reported number of private dwellings being adjusted downward by 30,500. Of the dwellings recorded in March 2026, 65.5% were owner-occupied.

StatsNZ also reported that there were 2,064,700 households as of March 2026. This data implies that there were 52,800 unoccupied dwellings, which the agency suggests are likely holiday homes.

Rental Market Trends

Rental trends in New Zealand are currently diverging between the North Island and the South Island. Data from Realestate.co.nz indicates that average national asking rents in March 2026 were down by $25 per week when compared to levels from two years prior.

Financial Rates and Currency

There were no changes reported for mortgage rates or term deposit and savings rates on April 7, 2026.

Other economic indicators noted on April 7, 2026, include a dip in the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and a dip in swaps. Livestock prices have passed their peak, and there was a reported jump in Australian inflation alongside a retreat in the Australian services PMI.