New Zealand grocery prices are high by international standards, and the market is dominated by two major grocery retailers (Foodstuffs and Woolworths NZ). The Commerce Commission’s 2022 grocery market study found New Zealand was the fifth most expensive grocery market in the OECD in 2017, and its 2025 annual grocery report found prices remained higher than the OECD average. This guide gives benchmark spending figures and practical strategies to reduce your grocery bill.
Stats NZ's latest Household Expenditure Survey (year ended June 2023) found the average NZ household spent $299.50 a week on food: about $214 on groceries and non-alcoholic drinks, and $85.50 on restaurant meals, takeaways and other food services. The estimates below give weekly grocery budgets by household size.
Estimated Weekly Grocery Spend by Household Size (2026)
These are MoneyBalance budgeting estimates, not survey averages, for supermarket food and household basics only (not including takeaways, cafes, or restaurants). For comparison, the average household spent about $214 a week on groceries and non-alcoholic drinks in Stats NZ’s 2023 survey:
| Household | Budget weekly spend | Average weekly spend | Generous weekly spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | $70 – $90 | $100 – $130 | $150 – $190 |
| Couple, no children | $110 – $140 | $155 – $200 | $230 – $290 |
| Family of 3 (1 child) | $140 – $175 | $195 – $250 | $290 – $360 |
| Family of 4 (2 children) | $170 – $210 | $230 – $310 | $360 – $440 |
| Family of 5 (3 children) | $205 – $255 | $280 – $370 | $430 – $530 |
| Flatmates (per person) | $60 – $80 | $90 – $120 | $130 – $160 |
Adding Takeaways and Eating Out
Stats NZ’s Household Expenditure Survey counts eating out as part of food spending. In the year ended June 2023, the average household spent:
| Food service category | Avg. weekly spend | Approx. monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-eat food (takeaways) | $54.80 | $237 |
| Restaurant meals | $29.50 | $128 |
| Other food services | $1.20 | $5 |
| Total eating out | $85.50 | $370 |
Even modest takeaway habits add up. A $20 lunch four days a week is about $347 a month, often more than a week’s grocery budget.
Supermarket Price Comparison — NZ 2026
NZ’s main supermarket chains are owned by two groups, Foodstuffs (PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square) and Woolworths NZ (Woolworths, formerly Countdown, whose last store was rebranded in December 2025). Prices vary by store and change weekly, so compare your own basket online before switching.
| Supermarket | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PAK’nSAVE (Foodstuffs) | Lower-priced format | Club+ loyalty card |
| Woolworths (Woolworths NZ, formerly Countdown) | Full-service | Everyday Rewards loyalty programme |
| New World (Foodstuffs) | Full-service | Club+ loyalty card (replaced Clubcard); prices vary by store |
| Costco (Auckland) | Bulk warehouse | Membership required |
| Farro Fresh | Premium | Specialty/premium products |
Costco note: Costco sells in bulk quantities, which needs freezer and pantry space, so it suits some households better for staples than for a full weekly shop.
How to Reduce Your Grocery Bill
1. Switch to PAK’nSAVE for staples
The Commerce Commission describes PAK’nSAVE as generally positioned as a lower-priced format than New World and Woolworths. If there’s one near you, price your usual weekly basket online at PAK’nSAVE and at your current supermarket to see what switching would actually save.
2. Buy store/home brands
Store brands (such as Pams at PAK’nSAVE, or Woolworths’ own-brand ranges) are usually cheaper than branded equivalents. For staples like pasta, rice, canned goods, cleaning products, and toiletries, quality differences are minimal.
3. Plan meals and shop with a list
Meal planning for the week and shopping with a list reduces impulse buying and food waste (Love Food Hate Waste NZ estimates Kiwi households throw away $1,364 of food each per year).
4. Reduce food waste
Key strategies:
- First in, first out in the fridge
- Freeze meat, bread, and leftovers before they go off
- Plan meals around what’s already in the fridge
5. Use loyalty programmes wisely
- Everyday Rewards (Woolworths): 1 point per $1 spent; every 2,000 points gives a $15 voucher
- Club+ (New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square): Foodstuffs’ loyalty card, which replaced New World Clubcard
- Collect Airpoints: Some credit cards earn Air NZ Airpoints Dollars on supermarket spending: see the Airpoints credit card comparison
6. Shop seasonally
Fresh produce prices swing with the seasons: tomatoes averaged $3.87/kg in February 2025 and $16.17/kg in August 2025 (Stats NZ), and across 2025 the cheapest month for broccoli, cabbage and lettuce was 44–61% below the dearest. Build meals around whatever is cheap that week.
Grocery Costs for Specific Diets
Rough MoneyBalance estimates, not survey data:
| Diet type | Weekly grocery budget adjustment |
|---|---|
| Standard omnivore | Baseline |
| Vegetarian | −$20 – −$40 (meat is the most expensive item) |
| Vegan | −$10 – −$30 (but specialty products can offset) |
| Gluten-free (medical) | +$30 – +$70 (speciality products are expensive) |
| High-protein (gym-focused) | +$20 – +$50 (protein supplements and extra meat) |