The consumers price index has increased by 0.3% for the third consecutive quarter.

Most of the latest increase was attributed to higher housing-related prices such as utilities, rates and rentals.

Cheaper telecommunication equipment forced prices down for household contents and services by 1.3%.

Transport prices were up slightly, reflecting higher petrol and international air fare costs.

In the last year the consumer price index has risen 1%.

In that time cigarette and tobacco prices went up 11.6%, while audio-visual and computing equipment fell 9.8%.