Inflation may be settling down, but many unavoidable costs have been rising sharply

The inflation rate is back within the Reserve Bank's target range, for the first time in more than three years -- making more OCR cuts almost inevitable.

Overall consumer prices have increased just 2.2 percent in the past year.

But the Herald's Liam Dann says there's no getting around the more than-12 percent hike in rents, rates and insurance.

He says it's tough for people paying rent, and for everyone paying rates and insurance.