By Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand’s annual inflation accelerated in the third quarter, coming in at 3.0%, in line with analysts’ forecasts and at the top end of the central bank’s target range, official data showed on Monday.

The consumer price index rose 1.0% in the third quarter from the previous quarter, Statistics New Zealand said. That was faster than the reading of 0.5% in the second quarter.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 1.0% quarterly rise.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand targets annual inflation between 1% and 3% over the medium term.

Statistics New Zealand attributed the third-quarter result to rises in electricity and rent, as well as increases in local government taxes.

“Annual electricity increases are at their highest since the late 1980s,

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