New Zealand Backpackers

New Zealand Shopping Information

Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 09:28

Advice - New Zealand Backpacking Advice

NZ  Shopping Information

Useful information about shopping in New Zealand. Where to buy different items and the cheapest places to shop like supermarkets and unless you eat like Paris Hilton, you will need to visit one.

Food / Supermarkets

• Pak 'n' Save
  • Pak 'n' Save supermarkets are constantly the cheapest supermarkets to shop in for food.
  • At Pak 'n' Save you will need to pack your own groceries
  • The range is not as good as some other supermarkets but you will be assured of a good price.
  • Pak 'n' Save supermarkets are located in most major towns and cities and are easily identified by large yellow buildings.
  • In the North Island bring your own bags to pack your groceries in as there is a charge for the supply of plastic bags. This surcharge does not apply in South Island Pak 'n' Save supermarkets.
  • Discount chain of Foodstuffs , 3 New Zealand co-operatives.
• Countdown
  • Cheap but not the cheapest
  • Discount chain of Progressive, an australian company.
  • They pack you groceries.
  • Ok range of items.
• Other Supermarkets
  • Foodtown
  • New World
  • Woolworth's
  • Fresh Choice
  • Supervalue

Automotive

Kiwi's love their cars, alot of families will have at least one and most have two cars. This is a result of the geographic nature and population of New Zealand. With a vast area for a small population public transport is not very practical.

Fuel

Their are plenty of petrol stations in New Zealand and the big international oil companies are well represented in New Zealand. Fuel prices lately have fluctuated greatly with international demands and events and prices among the main competitors are practically the same.

• Buy your petrol in major cities where possible as fuel purchased in remote area will often be higher.
• You can expect to pay about $1.55 per litre for petrol.
• You can expect to pay about $.99 per litre for diesel.
• Supermarket chains offer a fuel discount eg if you shop at Pak 'n' Save and spend over $70 you will get a docket for up to 10 cents off a litre at BP stations. Countdown and Woolworth's offer discounts for Shell Stations. This discount offer is a recent development but look like its here for a while as many Shell stations have recently added digital displays at their outlets displaying the discount offered for supermarket dockets.

Car Parts

• There are two main players in New Zealand for car parts and accessories. Super Cheap and Repco offer competitive prices on a wide range of parts like oil filters, oil, spark plugs etc. They have out lets all over New Zealand and are very competitive with each other.
• The Warehouse is also another cheap supplier of car accessories like oil etc, although the range is limited compared with the Repco and Super Cheap.

New Zealand New Zealand Backpackers Information has selected products from New Zealand's largest and most respected retailers. You can purchase with confidence know that your purchase is being brought from a large New Zealand Company with stores across NZ and offer very high quality products and a unconditional guarantee.