The cost of living for the average Kiwi household isn't rising as fast as overall inflation

Latest Stats NZ data shows household costs increased 2.2 percent in the year to December - below the headline inflation rate of 3.1 percent.

Pensioner households faced a steep 3.8 percent rise - they tend to be homeowners without mortgages, who've been hit by rising council rates.

Lower-spending and beneficiary households also faced steeper price rises.

High-spending households only saw their costs go up 0.8 percent.