The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index fell 2 points to 96.2 in October 2026, remaining below the neutral 100 mark for an eighth consecutive month. Although confidence remains subdued, it is 16 points above its April low. New Zealand consumers remain pessimistic as fuel prices stay elevated and inflation outpaces income growth. A weak currency is adding to the pressure, although export-oriented sectors are benefiting. The net share of households viewing it as a good time to buy a major household item, a key retail indicator, dropped 10 points to -17% as cost-of-living pressures weighed on spending plans. However, some indicators improved. Expectations for personal finances over the next year remained firmly positive, rising for a fourth consecutive month. House price inflation expectations eased to 2% from 2.4%, their lowest level since July 2023, while inflation expectations fell to 4.2% from 4.5%, the lowest since March 2025.