Tokelau National Statistics Office

Tokelau National Statistics Office

The consumer price index (CPI) for Tokelau fell 0.7 percent for the March 2013 quarter, the Tokelau National Statistics Office said today.

“Some of the biggest influences on price change in Tokelau’s CPI tend to be international in origin. Our CPI is not just affected by domestic supply and demand, and pricing policies, but also those of Samoa, and of the global market,” National Statistician Mr Lui said.

The decrease in the CPI reflects lower food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, lower transport, and lower miscellaneous goods and services prices.

These decreases were partially countered by higher housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels prices, particularly higher prices for paint and kerosene.

 “Tokelau sources the majority of its products from the Samoa market. Many of the products sold in Tokelau are re-exports from Samoa and their availability can change frequently. The strength of the New Zealand dollar also influences Tokelau’s purchasing power in Samoa,” said Mr Lui.

“All these factors have flow on effects to the prices of goods and services purchased by consumers in Tokelau.”

Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages fell 2.0 percent in the March 2013 quarter, reflecting lower prices for milk powder (down 25.0 percent) and rice (down 12.3 percent).

In the March 2013 quarter, prices were higher for noodles (up 43.0 percent), and potatoes (up 38.5 percent).

Tokelau is one of the world’s most geographically isolated countries, and home to 1,411 people. The CPI measures the rate of price change of goods and services purchased by Tokelau households.  

Further information on the CPI, including tables and technical notes, is available from http://TokelauNSO.tk

ENDS

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