New Zealanders will get extra insight into the cost of living, as Stats NZ promises to release more up-to-date inflation data.

Stats NZ will now publish monthly price changes for alcohol, fuel, tobacco, air and travel costs, in addition to regular data for food and rent prices.

The CPI data will continue to be published every three months.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this will allow people to see 44 percent of the CPI on a monthly basis and keep better track of that data.

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