I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Feb 2nd 2017, 8:44 am
#31
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Nothing major 
It may be a 'little' bit more expensive when you're looking at a few meals here and there when in holiday mode. It soon adds up week in and week out.
Our recent visitors were truly stunned at the prices we paid for everything and I expect it will be a long time before they're fully recovered emotionally and financially. Their jaws were scraping on the floor during their first shopping experience in NZ and they were totally floored when their first bill totalled in excess of $100 for a 'few bits' for sandwiches, fruit and salad stuff that they bought for a picnic lunch.
It may be a 'little' bit more expensive when you're looking at a few meals here and there when in holiday mode. It soon adds up week in and week out.
Our recent visitors were truly stunned at the prices we paid for everything and I expect it will be a long time before they're fully recovered emotionally and financially. Their jaws were scraping on the floor during their first shopping experience in NZ and they were totally floored when their first bill totalled in excess of $100 for a 'few bits' for sandwiches, fruit and salad stuff that they bought for a picnic lunch.
Feb 6th 2017, 10:05 am
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 105
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Nothing major
It may be a 'little' bit more expensive when you're looking at a few meals here and there when in holiday mode. It soon adds up week in and week out.
Our recent visitors were truly stunned at the prices we paid for everything and I expect it will be a long time before they're fully recovered emotionally and financially. Their jaws were scraping on the floor during their first shopping experience in NZ and they were totally floored when their first bill totalled in excess of $100 for a 'few bits' for sandwiches, fruit and salad stuff that they bought for a picnic lunch.
It may be a 'little' bit more expensive when you're looking at a few meals here and there when in holiday mode. It soon adds up week in and week out.
Our recent visitors were truly stunned at the prices we paid for everything and I expect it will be a long time before they're fully recovered emotionally and financially. Their jaws were scraping on the floor during their first shopping experience in NZ and they were totally floored when their first bill totalled in excess of $100 for a 'few bits' for sandwiches, fruit and salad stuff that they bought for a picnic lunch.
Feb 7th 2017, 4:01 am
#36
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Joined: Jan 2009
Location: South Auckland
Posts: 2,228
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
My total shopping bill is around the same as what I paid while in the UK, although admittedly I did shop at Waitrose. However, I have always shopped seasonally which makes a difference (e.g. $1 for a kilo of apples). I also have 5 large supermarkets near me which might keep prices down too.
Higher prices on non-food items are more than made up by cheaper petrol, electricity and lower taxes. Plus my rates are half what I paid in the UK for a smaller property. Depends on what you choose to look at.
Higher prices on non-food items are more than made up by cheaper petrol, electricity and lower taxes. Plus my rates are half what I paid in the UK for a smaller property. Depends on what you choose to look at.
Feb 7th 2017, 6:59 pm
#37
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
My total shopping bill is around the same as what I paid while in the UK, although admittedly I did shop at Waitrose. However, I have always shopped seasonally which makes a difference (e.g. $1 for a kilo of apples). I also have 5 large supermarkets near me which might keep prices down too.
Higher prices on non-food items are more than made up by cheaper petrol, electricity and lower taxes. Plus my rates are half what I paid in the UK for a smaller property. Depends on what you choose to look at.
Higher prices on non-food items are more than made up by cheaper petrol, electricity and lower taxes. Plus my rates are half what I paid in the UK for a smaller property. Depends on what you choose to look at.
Feb 7th 2017, 7:24 pm
#38
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,111
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Come on now, let's not get carried away. The cost of living in NZ is excessive. I can never figure out why some choose to deny it. We were spending a fortune on electricity in NZ, houses aren't built to retain heat so in a place like dunedin you spent a fortune warming the house especially with a baby due to not being able to afford basics like wall insulation and double glazing. Petrol here in is the same price as Dunedin, £1.15 (NZ$2), and maybe VAT is higher but everything is so much cheaper so you don't notice it and you don't pay income tax on everything you earn. Plus VAT isn't on everything.
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
Feb 7th 2017, 7:37 pm
#39
wish I wasn't here!
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: Erm...Plymouth unfortunately!
Posts: 510
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Come on now, let's not get carried away. The cost of living in NZ is excessive. I can never figure out why some choose to deny it. We were spending a fortune on electricity in NZ, houses aren't built to retain heat so in a place like dunedin you spent a fortune warming the house especially with a baby due to not being able to afford basics like wall insulation and double glazing. Petrol here in is the same price as Dunedin, £1.15 (NZ$2), and maybe VAT is higher but everything is so much cheaper so you don't notice it and you don't pay income tax on everything you earn. Plus VAT isn't on everything.
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
Feb 7th 2017, 8:58 pm
#40
Welly bound
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Wellington
Posts: 170
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
If you are going to use the current exchange rate to exacerbate the cost of everything in NZD then equally you have to accept that wages in NZ are now 20% higher than they were before Brexit. My salary here in GBP is far in excess of what I'd be earning in UK unless I blagged a top job somewhere or was a self-employed contractor.
Even though I get taxed on every penny, I still take home a slightly larger proportion than I would in UK.
On quality, I disagree that food quality is higher in the UK. I would estimate our grocery bills are roughly 10% higher. But you can't really compare like for like, because here you shop differently and for slightly different stuff than in UK.
Even though I get taxed on every penny, I still take home a slightly larger proportion than I would in UK.
On quality, I disagree that food quality is higher in the UK. I would estimate our grocery bills are roughly 10% higher. But you can't really compare like for like, because here you shop differently and for slightly different stuff than in UK.
Feb 7th 2017, 9:57 pm
#41
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,298
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Come on now, let's not get carried away. The cost of living in NZ is excessive. I can never figure out why some choose to deny it. We were spending a fortune on electricity in NZ, houses aren't built to retain heat so in a place like dunedin you spent a fortune warming the house especially with a baby due to not being able to afford basics like wall insulation and double glazing. Petrol here in is the same price as Dunedin, £1.15 (NZ$2), and maybe VAT is higher but everything is so much cheaper so you don't notice it and you don't pay income tax on everything you earn. Plus VAT isn't on everything.
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
Apart from Fish and Chips, fast food and car insurance I can't think of anything that's more expensive than NZ. Even NZ produce is cheaper here, I've had a few pints of imported NZ beer way cheaper than a pint of locally brewed beer in Dunedin.
I'll be buying a caravan soon, something else I couldn't even dream about affording in NZ.
We move into our modern central heated double glazed house this week and we'll be doing The Big Shop for The Big Shop Comparison. It's going to be a CRACKER!!!!
I deny NOTHING negative about NZ. I just happen to NOT find it expensive. But that is just me. I live a hugely more comfortable life here in NZ than I believe I would in the UK. But I do not want to live in the UK anyway as it is too populous...that is my only bugbear with the country.
Considering my minimal net worth (for my advanced age anyhow), what my house cost here in NZ (and what a comprable one in a comprable area in the UK would cost) and the quality of life my home and locale affords me and my general lifestyle, 2 cars, a motorbike and regular local holidays. I do all this on $600 a week, give or take a few bob. Okay, I have no accomodation expenses, buy 2nd hand clothes and shop shrewdly, but I could not live the way I do, on that money, in the UK.
It matters not eh? You are very happy in the UK and I am very happy with things in NZ. That is all that matters. For you and for me we live where suits us best. Which is nice.
Not sure what you are trying to achieve by the constant comparison of prices Matt. You do not live here any more. What relevance does the cost comparison of UK prices versus NZ prices to someone living in the UK? If you want folk to more aware about negative stuff in NZ you would be better sticking to the shite driving, awful high stats on the fatalities re the latter, the terrible exchange rate and that there is a burglary every 7 minutes. Then there is our terribly high suicide rate, domestic violence et al. There is so much bad stuff in NZ (like anywhere) that is so more important Matt than the price of food.
Last edited by Genesis; Feb 7th 2017 at 10:07 pm.
Feb 7th 2017, 10:14 pm
#42
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 526
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Genesis, You've changed your tune! Let me remind you of one of your posts from 4 yrs ago ...
Its not getting any cheaper!
On Campbell live tonight.... 3 baskets of shopping, all the same stuff.
In NZ $202 odd NZ$
In Oz around $175 NZ$
In the UK $128 odd NZ$
Almost all of the food in the NZ basket was home produce too.
There is a food duopoly in NZ and apparently no govt. in the last 20 years has made any effort to break it. We are being ripped off mercilessly here in NZ every time we shop for food (and other stuff). Have known it for years but here is the hard proof and research. And don't find an excuse like a small market will have higher prices...remember all this is local stuff.
.
In NZ $202 odd NZ$
In Oz around $175 NZ$
In the UK $128 odd NZ$
Almost all of the food in the NZ basket was home produce too.
There is a food duopoly in NZ and apparently no govt. in the last 20 years has made any effort to break it. We are being ripped off mercilessly here in NZ every time we shop for food (and other stuff). Have known it for years but here is the hard proof and research. And don't find an excuse like a small market will have higher prices...remember all this is local stuff.
.
Feb 7th 2017, 10:17 pm
#43
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1,111
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Even if the exchange rate was at 2.50 prices would still look expensive.
Feb 7th 2017, 10:26 pm
#44
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 526
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
Genesis 2013
Genesis 2017
I deny NOTHING negative about NZ. I just happen to NOT find it expensive. But that is just me. I live a hugely more comfortable life here in NZ than I believe I would in the UK. But I do not want to live in the UK anyway as it is too populous...that is my only bugbear with the country.
.
Make your mind up!
I think it is expensive where ever you are in NZ. I don't think food in Palmy is any dearer that food in Auckland or Hamilton. It is overpriced everywhere. I always feel utterly shafted after a shop in NZ...well and truly. Or when I buy paint, or a car part or a car, or most things in fact save petrol and car insurance. The latter being the ONLY 2 things that really are better value in NZ, everything else is a wrought IMO.
NZ is like a flock of pelicans....big, big bills all over the place! .
NZ is like a flock of pelicans....big, big bills all over the place! .
I deny NOTHING negative about NZ. I just happen to NOT find it expensive. But that is just me. I live a hugely more comfortable life here in NZ than I believe I would in the UK. But I do not want to live in the UK anyway as it is too populous...that is my only bugbear with the country.
.
Make your mind up!
Feb 7th 2017, 10:54 pm
#45
Welly bound
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Wellington
Posts: 170
Re: I promised to do this a while back , grocery comparison.
I've just turned a job down very similar to the job I was doing at the Uni in Dunedin and using todays exchange rate the wages are very similar. My mate who was a builder in Dunedin is now earning more here than he was in NZ using the exchange rate also.
Even if the exchange rate was at 2.50 prices would still look expensive.
Even if the exchange rate was at 2.50 prices would still look expensive.
A few treats I enjoy here:
4 large, freshly made sushi rolls with wasabi and soy from the local sushi shop = $4 (GBP 2.34)
250g slab of whittakers chocolate = $4.50 (GBP 2.63)
Bottle of Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir = $10.79 (GBP 6.30)
I used to buy sushi in UK for lunch and I know that I would struggle to buy the same quantity and quality for under 5 quid.
Chocolate is roughly the same price but nicer than cadburys (there are cheaper deals than this from time to time).
To get the same quality of wine, I would spending 10 -15 quid. And that's at 1.71 exchange rate. At a rate of 2.5, these things are a bargain.
As an aside, renters don't pay council tax or water rates. Home buyers don't pay stamp duty or equivalent.