25 May 2023

Will hiking the OCR worsen the cost of living?

From Morning Report, 6:42 am on 25 May 2023
Illustration depicting shopper reflecting on rising grocery costs

Photo: RNZ / Michelle Tiang

A worker's union says the Reserve Bank's decision to hike the official cash rate will worsen the cost-of-living crisis.

According to a household cost index done by First Union, 23% of the direct increase in prices experienced by households over the year have come from rising interest rates.

It wants the Government to seriously consider whether the Reserve Bank's approach is still fit for purpose.

First Union policy analyst Edward Miller spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.