Stats NZ released inflation figures for the September quarter on Monday, showing a 2.2 per cent rise in the consumer price index (CPI).

Housing has fuelled the surge, along with huge rises in the cost of vegetables and transport including petrol.

House construction costs are up 4.5 per cent for the quarter, and 12 per cent for the year.

"Both supply-chain challenges and high demand are pushing up the cost of building houses," Stats NZ spokesman Aaron Beck said.

"Construction firms reported that it is hard to get many materials needed to build a house, and that there are higher labour and administration costs."

The annual interest rate, measured back to September 2020, is now 4.9 per cent - which Stats NZ says is the highest since June 2011.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the rise was "mainly due to global factors".

A fortnight ago, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cited inflationary pressures as it raised the official rate for the first time since 2014.

The cash rate is currently 0.5 per cent, with analysts predicting future rises at meetings in November and next year until it sits at 1.5 per cent.

Mr Robertson appeared to back those rises under the RBNZ's mandate to keep inflation within the 1-3 per cent band.

"It has the tools to do that," he said.

"(The RBNZ) has forecast inflation to increase above 4 per cent in the near term before returning towards the 2 per cent midpoint."

Stats NZ measures 11 main groups to determine the CPI, including food and transport - 10 of those 11 groups increased in price between July and September.

In addition to housing, fresh food has become more expensive.

Vegetable prices are up 19 per cent, which Stats NZ said is the second largest upwards contributor to inflation.

Petrol prices have also headed northwards, in line with global trends.

Kiwis pay an average of $NZ2.27 ($A2.17) a litre for standard 91 octane fuel, shelling out 22 per cent more at the pump than this time last year.

That is the biggest yearly jump since 2008, and a rise from $NZ1.86 ($A1.78) from September 2020.

Australian Associated Press