The Price Is Right NZ

When I returned from Australia I remember being asked about the cost of things.  While things seem expensive when you're a tourist, in reality they were quite comparable to what things cost in the U.S. once you consider the standard wages.

This post is really just about the costs of things here in New Zealand - mostly food as that's an easier item to compare  :)  If you have no interest in this, feel free to wait for the next post, which will be more of the usual.

There are 3 major grocery chains here in NZ, Pak'nSave, Countdown, and New World.  Pak'nSave is the cheapest and has an Aldi-Sam's Club type of feel - you pack your own groceries (they don't bag them for you, hence the name) and most of the items are in a larger size or quantity than at the other two stores.  Countdown and New World are next in their comparative pricing, but when you have to walk to get groceries, as I do now, you weigh your options (sometimes literally) since you have to carry everything back home with you once you're finished.  The New World is closer to me, but the Countdown is near the library, so I shop at both (there is no Pak'nSave within walking distance).

Flyer from New World
Ground Beef - $12.99/kg (a kg is a little over 2 lbs)
Chicken Breasts - $10.99/kg
Angus Beef Burger Patties - $8.99 for 600g

Chocolate Ice Cream (2L) - $5.99
Ambrosia Apples - $2.99/kg
Grapes - $4.99/kg
Iceburg Lettuce Head - $1.99
Cucumber - $2.99
Corn (canned) - $.99
Black Beans (canned, organic) - $2.19
Milk (1L) - $2.85
Eggs (doz) - $3.25
White Sugar (1.5kg) - $2.90
Corn Flakes (supermarket brand 500g) - $2.70
Coke (2.25L) - $3.99
Peanut Butter (supermarket brand 375g) - $2.50


Pricey, but it's name brand --

 A lot of the food is imported and a lot of it also seems to come from Australia, which has its perks; such as a large variety of Tim Tam flavors (on sale for $2.50 too):

Fancy some Kentucky Fried Chicken?