WELLINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Fuel prices in New Zealand continued to climb in April, with diesel recording particularly sharp gains, according to data released by Stats NZ on Friday.

Petrol prices rose 12.6 percent from March to April, while diesel surged 36.6 percent over the same period, the statistics department said.

Over the two months since February, petrol prices have increased 33.6 percent and diesel nearly doubled, up 94.9 percent, Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

On an annual basis, petrol prices were up 30.1 percent in the 12 months to April 2026, while diesel jumped 91.3 percent, reflecting sustained pressure on energy costs, noted the department.

Electricity and gas prices also climbed in April, up 2.4 percent and 0.3 percent month on month, respectively, the department said, adding that electricity prices have increased steadily since December 2024.

Compared with a year earlier, electricity prices were up 13.1 percent and gas 10.8 percent, statistics showed.

Food prices rose 2.6 percent annually in April, led by increases in meat and prepared food, said the department.