Inflation, made tangible
Inflation figures are abstract; the price of everyday things is not. By running the CPI backwards, this tool shows what a dollar from years ago is worth now — and why "things used to be cheaper" isn't just nostalgia, it's measurable.
It's also a reality check on savings: cash slowly loses purchasing power, which is why long-term savers look to investments that outpace inflation.
What you're probably wondering
It uses the Consumers Price Index (CPI) from Stats NZ, comparing the year you pick against today.
It's how much your money can actually buy. $100 in 2010 bought more than $100 today — the tool shows the equivalent in today's dollars.
Yes. It's a great way to check whether a salary or budget has kept up with inflation between two points in time.