New Zealand’s grocery market has long been dominated by a duopoly — Foodstuffs (Pak’nSave, New World, Four Square) and Woolworths NZ (Countdown). That’s changing with Aldi’s 2025 entry. Here’s how every option stacks up on price, availability, and use case.
Pak'nSave is the cheapest full-service supermarket in NZ, typically 20–30% cheaper than Countdown or New World on a comparable basket. Where Pak'nSave isn't available, Countdown's Essentials range is the next-best budget option. Aldi (launching 2025) is expected to be competitive with Pak'nSave. Costco is best for bulk non-perishables if you have a membership and nearby store.
Price Basket Comparison — 20 Common Items
Indicative prices as at May 2026. Prices vary by region and week.
| Item | Pak’nSave | Countdown | New World | Aldi (Auckland) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L full-fat milk | $3.70 | $4.10 | $4.20 | $3.50 |
| 1kg white bread | $2.50 | $3.20 | $3.30 | $2.20 |
| 700g pasta (own brand) | $1.50 | $2.00 | $2.10 | $1.40 |
| 400g canned tomatoes | $1.00 | $1.40 | $1.50 | $0.99 |
| 1kg rolled oats | $2.80 | $3.50 | $3.60 | $2.50 |
| 12-pack free range eggs | $7.50 | $9.00 | $9.20 | $7.20 |
| 1kg chicken thighs | $9.00 | $11.00 | $11.50 | $8.80 |
| 500g cheddar (own brand) | $7.00 | $8.50 | $8.80 | $6.80 |
| 1kg bananas | $2.80 | $3.20 | $3.40 | $2.60 |
| 500g carrots | $1.50 | $1.80 | $1.90 | $1.40 |
| 1kg frozen peas | $3.00 | $3.80 | $4.00 | $2.80 |
| 2L orange juice | $4.50 | $5.50 | $5.80 | $4.20 |
| 1kg brown rice | $3.00 | $3.80 | $4.00 | $2.80 |
| 1L olive oil | $9.50 | $12.00 | $12.50 | $9.00 |
| 500g butter | $5.50 | $6.50 | $6.80 | $5.20 |
| Toilet paper (9 roll) | $5.00 | $6.50 | $6.80 | $4.80 |
| 1.5L laundry liquid (own brand) | $5.00 | $6.50 | $6.80 | $4.80 |
| 1kg flour | $1.80 | $2.50 | $2.60 | $1.60 |
| 200g coffee (own brand) | $6.00 | $7.50 | $7.80 | $5.80 |
| 400g canned lentils | $1.20 | $1.60 | $1.70 | $1.10 |
| Total basket | ~$83 | ~$104 | ~$108 | ~$79 |
Aldi prices are estimates based on comparable overseas pricing — verify locally. Pak’nSave prices vary by store location.
Pak’nSave is ~20–25% cheaper than Countdown, ~25% cheaper than New World on a comparable basket.
Store-by-Store Breakdown
Pak’nSave — Best for Price
Owned by: Foodstuffs (co-operative, NZ-owned) Number of stores: ~50 (mainly cities and larger towns) Format: Warehouse-style, no-frills. You bag your own groceries. No loyalty card.
Best for: Families and anyone prioritising low prices on weekly shopping. Not available in: Many smaller towns, some regions. Check paknSave.co.nz for locations. Online: Pak’nSave online shopping available in most cities.
Countdown / Woolworths NZ — Most Convenient
Owned by: Woolworths Group (Australia) Number of stores: ~185 nationwide Format: Full-service. Woolworths loyalty programme (Everyday Rewards).
Best for: Convenience, online ordering, wide locations. Tips: Countdown Essentials range (own brand) closes much of the price gap vs Pak’nSave. Weekly specials are aggressive. App-based deals. Online: Strong online ordering and Click & Collect nationwide.
New World — Mid-Premium
Owned by: Foodstuffs (same co-op as Pak’nSave, but independently owned stores) Number of stores: ~145 nationwide Format: Full-service. OneCard loyalty programme.
Best for: Quality fresh produce and specialty items, good specials. Price: Typically $5–10 more expensive than Countdown on a standard basket. Tips: New World often has better-quality fresh produce and deli sections. Worth it for premium fresh items.
Four Square — Convenience
Owned by: Foodstuffs Format: Small neighbourhood stores. Prices higher than supermarkets.
Best for: Emergency top-up shopping when nothing else is accessible. Not a regular shop destination.
Aldi — New Entrant (Auckland, 2025)
Owned by: Aldi (German private company) NZ launch: 2025, initially Auckland region Format: No-frills European discount model. Limited range (~1,500 SKUs vs 15,000+ in a full supermarket). Own-brand dominant.
Best for: Competitive on everyday staples. Expected to be Pak’nSave-competitive on price. Limitation: Limited locations, limited range — not a full replacement for a main supermarket shop. Impact on market: Aldi’s entry has already driven price responses from Countdown and New World.
Costco — Bulk Buying
Owned by: Costco (US, publicly listed) NZ stores: Auckland Westgate, Auckland Silverdale, Wellington Membership: ~$65–70/year (required)
Best for: High-turnover bulk items — toilet paper, laundry detergent, olive oil, nuts, cheese, frozen meat. Not suitable for: Fresh produce (large quantities), infrequent purchases (may expire), if no freezer space. Break-even: Annual savings typically 3–5x the membership cost for regular buyers.
Fresh Produce Markets and Asian Supermarkets
Often the cheapest source for fruit, vegetables, and ethnic staples.
| Type | NZ examples | Price advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend markets | Avondale Market (Auckland), Harbourside (Wellington) | 20–40% cheaper on produce |
| Asian supermarkets | Pan Asia, Tai Ping (Auckland) | 30–50% cheaper on produce, rice, noodles |
| Indian/Middle Eastern grocery | Various Auckland/Wellington | Much cheaper for spices, legumes |
When to Shop Where
| Shopping need | Best option |
|---|---|
| Main weekly shop (city) | Pak’nSave |
| Main weekly shop (no Pak’nSave nearby) | Countdown with Essentials range |
| Bulk staples (membership) | Costco |
| Fresh produce and specialty | New World or local market |
| Budget staples (Auckland) | Aldi |
| Emergency top-up | Four Square / Countdown |
| Cheap vegetables and produce | Asian supermarket or weekend market |
Online Grocery Shopping
All major NZ supermarkets offer online shopping and delivery.
| Provider | Delivery fee | Click & Collect |
|---|---|---|
| Countdown | $5–10 (free over threshold) | Yes |
| New World | $6–12 | Yes (select stores) |
| Pak’nSave | $5–8 | Yes |
Tip: Online shopping reduces impulse purchases, which often more than covers the delivery fee.