Cost of Living
South Island Food Bills Hit $15,305 — But Inflation Means You're Actually Spending Less
While the government unveils its infrastructure plan, South Island households face a confusing reality: grocery bills have jumped $2,796 since 2020, yet adjusted for inflation, families are actually buying less food than they were five years ago.
Families in Rural North Island Are Paying $15,443 a Year for Food — Here's Why It Hurts More Than the Cities
While the country debates infrastructure spending, households outside the main centres are quietly bearing the highest cost-of-living burden. The latest grocery data reveals what policy announcements don't mention.
Why Are Wellington Families Spending $15,246 on Food When Wages Aren't Keeping Up?
Wellington households now spend $15,246 annually on groceries — up 23% in just four years. But with inflation running at 20-25% since 2019, this isn't just expensive. It's a pay cut disguised as a price rise.
The Rest of the South Island Just Spent $15,380 on Groceries — Five Years Ago It Was $12,464
In five years, the average household outside Canterbury and Otago has seen food costs jump 23%. But adjust for inflation, and families are actually buying less food than they were before COVID.
Auckland Families Spend $15,553 a Year on Groceries — But That Buys Less Than Ever
The average Auckland household now spends over $15,500 annually on food. But with inflation running at 20-25% since 2019, that money doesn't go nearly as far as the raw numbers suggest.
Whanganui's Food Prices Appear to Halve — But Something's Wrong with the Numbers
While communities across New Zealand battle storm damage and infrastructure gaps, Stats NZ data shows Whanganui's food price index inexplicably plummeting from 15,641 to 7,798 in a single year. The numbers don't match reality.
Rotorua's Food Prices Just Halved Overnight — At Least on Paper
While the government unveils its first infrastructure plan, Stats NZ data shows Rotorua's food price index dropped from 15,317 to 7,683 in a single year. The catch? It's a measurement change, not a miracle.
Timaru's Food Costs Halved Overnight — But the Data Tells a Different Story
While the government unveils its infrastructure plan, Stats NZ data shows Timaru's food price index plummeting from 15,445 to 7,836 in a single year. The explanation reveals how tricky official numbers can be.