mickey_d

$4.69 for something decent!! Most expensive at Tesco would be $2.90.

mickey_d

Cheapest in our shop is $3.55 (NW Budget)

Genesis

Alas we have to pay the international price for milk. One assumes Asda does too. I wonder if this is a loss leader or are we being ripped off in NZ for this staple?

Expat Kiwi

You have to remember that Britain has the benefit of being part of the EC with all the subsidies that affords them, NZ has to trade outside of that market. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why NZ is so expensive?

zoglet

I figure NZ is expensive because it has a small and widely distriubuted population which makes the strong purchasing power available to British high street shops, simply unavailable to NZ shops and distributers.

NZ is a reasonably priced holiday destination (once you have bought the ticket at least) but living here is more expenisve when considering cost of living relative to income.

But as many others on here have pointed out, the financial dynamic is only one consideration when evaluating life here.

On balance, I like it!

Bo-Jangles

There's such a lot of variations in the price of milk, the cheapest I get is the same budget label in P&S at $3.45

Countdown's Signature Range is $3.94

Anchor and Meadowfresh brands are a ridiculous $4.59 - presumably it's the same milk as the Budget label, but in a slightly sturdier carton. How they justify charging over $1 more for it, sure beats me.

chocolate cake

There's little doubt prices of many basics are dearer in the supermarket in NZ, mainly profitering no doubt. The picture's complicated by NZ putting GST on food which for basics is VAT free in the UK, so there's 12.5% diff soon to be 15% to start.
Also ridiculous is the no. of short term 'specials' where items are reduced by a $1 or two, and then hiked back up again. This makes prices difficult to compare.

The main problem with the supermarket's though is lack of competition, it's a duopoly with 2 chains having 90% of the market. I don't the historic reasons on how that was allowed to happen, but it's ridiculous.

It's the same with electrical goods and tyre fitting chains, different trading names, same owners.

The idea of the 'specials' is typified by Kathamandu the outdoor gear shop, who must have a sale every other month (and probably more frequent) reducing prices by 30% and more. Anyone who buys something from them at their normal prices must be mad.

jennifer45

The pills were originally prescribed by 2 UK consultants (one lot over 10 years ago the other changed over 3 years ago) No medical advancement in either case and have to take them for life.
The GP is merely a tool , which I have to ask for repeat. They tell me I have to be seen every 6 months no matter what, if I'm on long term medication.

I kid you not Genesis, I mentioned a problem I was having with a wisdom tooth (don't laugh- I'm a late developer!) I asked if she could recommend a dentist- she said the practice nurse would be able to help as she lived in the area.
I went back to the waiting room, then was called through to the nurse's station, where she went through the yellow pages with me and advised me to ring round and check if they were taking on new patients and ask their prices.
Less than 5 mins--$15.

No wonder there is such a reliance on herbal remedies and DIY dentistry!

Why can't you get a 6 month supply of medicines?

Stormer999

Check out the DFS sale in the UK it started 5 years before NZ was discovered and will keep on going even if DFS go bust!

Justcol

We pay $5.00 for 2 x 2 litre cartons.
Anchor and meadowfresh are both Fontera brands which might explain the high cost.
Not all milk comes from the same supplier and some charge more than others.
Most Fontera brands are expensive but there are lots of alternatives out there.