A 'human error' resulted in Stats NZ overstating the food price rise in January as a four-year high 2.5% increase instead of 2.1%

Government Statistician Colin Lynch has apologised after a "human error" saw Statistics NZ substantially overstate food price rises in January.

The Food Price Index (FPI) figures included in Stats NZ's Selected Price Indexes (SPI), were reported as a four-year high, 2.5% monthly rise, giving an annual increase of 4.6%.

In fact the rise was 2.1% and the annual increase 4.2%.

"We are acutely aware of the importance of robust indicators and apologise to our customers for this error," Lynch, who is also Stats NZ's chief executive, said.

"The reliability of economic statistics is something Stats NZ takes very seriously. The people of New Zealand must be able to have confidence in our data and insights."

He said a review into the error is under way.

Stats NZ is also prioritising work to modernise its technology and systems to support production of "robust economic data".

A statement from Stats NZ said the error in the January figures had been identified last when when Stats NZ staff were preparing for the release of February data, (released on Tuesday, the same day as the correction statement).

"The error occurred because the January 2026 FPI calculations did not include all the supermarket scanner data for the month. Specifically, for one supermarket data provider only 18 of the 31 days were included. This was due to human error," Stats NZ said.

The biggest impact of the error was on prices for chocolate (blocks), muesli and cereal bars, chicken pieces, coffee (ground) and desserts (frozen).

All the information has now been corrected.

Stats NZ said the quarterly Consumers Price Index (CPI) calculation is not affected by the error in the January 2026 FPI.

The error has no impact on the upcoming releases of balance of payments and international investment position and gross domestic product.

"Making this correction to the January 2026 FPI is important, as this data allows decision-makers and the public to be correctly informed about food prices," Stats NZ said.