Groceries can take a big bite out of your budget in New Zealand—especially for families, students, and new immigrants. With food prices on the rise, smart shopping strategies are more essential than ever. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cut down on your weekly grocery bill without sacrificing nutrition or quality.
Here are 8 proven tips to help you save money on groceries in NZ in 2025.
🛒 1. Choose the Right Supermarket
Not all grocery stores are priced equally.
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Pak’nSave is generally the cheapest for bulk items.
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Countdown offers regular promotions and loyalty discounts.
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New World may be pricier, but often has niche or high-end products.
💡 Tip: Compare weekly specials via brochures or their websites before shopping.
🌏 2. Shop at Asian and Ethnic Grocery Stores
Asian supermarkets like H Mart, Tai Ping, and Lim Chhour offer excellent deals on noodles, sauces, fresh veggies, tofu, rice, and more. Indian grocery stores are also great for affordable spices, lentils, and bulk dry goods.
✅ Often cheaper and fresher than mainstream chains.
📦 3. Buy in Bulk
If you have the space, stock up!
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Visit Costco (Westgate) or Gilmours for bulk rice, oil, snacks, and household items.
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Bring a list and avoid impulse buying.
🏠 Ideal for shared housing, large families, or meal preppers.
📱 4. Use Discount Apps & Loyalty Cards
Sign up for:
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Countdown Onecard
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New World Clubcard
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FoodMe, Grocer.nz, and Stickman Deals App (Pak’nSave)
📉 These apps track local sales and notify you of best-value products.
🛍️ 5. Visit Weekend Farmers Markets
Fresh and seasonal produce often comes cheaper at markets like:
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Avondale Sunday Market
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Otara Flea Market
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Clevedon Farmers Market
Bonus: You support local growers and often get better-tasting food!
🧊 6. Freeze What You Can
Buy meat, bread, and even milk in bulk and freeze them.
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Label with the date and portion sizes
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Freeze overripe fruit for smoothies
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Pre-chop veggies for soups or stir-fries
♻️ Reduces waste and extends shelf life.
📆 7. Plan Meals Around Sales
Instead of deciding meals in advance, check what’s discounted and build meals from that.
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Cheap chicken? Cook curry, stir-fry, and wraps.
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Discounted canned beans? Make chili, burritos, or salad bowls.
📝 Weekly meal planning saves time and money.
📉 8. Track Monthly Spending
Use tools like PocketSmith, My Budget Pal, or a Google Sheet to track what you spend weekly on groceries. Set limits and review which items you buy most often.
✅ Awareness = better control of spending.
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