New Zealand entering a technical recession - will come as no shock to struggling households

Stats NZ figures show GDP per capita has decreased 0.7 percent, despite increases to net migration, and population growth.

The economy contracted 0.1 percentage points in the December quarter - and fell 0.3 the quarter before.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's been obvious for months, after a period of steep inflation, and high interest rates.

She says most New Zealanders have been bearing the brunt of a slowing economy for a long time now.