Food shock: Prices soar in June as fruit and veges follow butter and cheese spike

New stats show food prices rose 4.6% in the year to June – the largest rate of increase since late 2023.
That was up from a 4.4% increase in the year to May, Stats NZ’s latest Selected Price Indexes show.
Rising prices for fruit and vegetables in June have added to already elevated pricing for dairy products to push costs higher.
Higher prices for the fruit and vegetables group and the grocery foods group drove the increase in food prices for June 2025, Stats NZ said.
They were up 5% and 0.8% respectively for the month.
“More expensive tomatoes, capsicum, and broccoli drove the increase for fruit and vegetables, while higher prices for boxed chocolates and eggs drove the increase for grocery foods,” Stats NZ said.
Meanwhile, dairy and meat prices remain elevated, reflecting strong export prices on global markets.
“Dairy products continue to drive the higher cost in food prices,” said prices and deflators spokeswoman Nicola Growden.
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The average milk price was $4.57 for 2 litres, up 14.3% annually. Butter was $8.60 per 500g, up 46.5% annually, and cheese was $13.04 for a 1kg block, up 30% annually.
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“Butter prices are nearly five dollars more expensive than 10 years ago, an increase of over 120%,” Growden said.
The increase in the meat, poultry, and fish group was driven by higher prices for beef steak and beef mince, up 22.3% and 15.6%, respectively.
“The average cost for 1kg of beef mince was $21.73 in June 2025, up from $18.80 a year ago,” Growden said.
The increase in food prices was higher than expected, said ASB senior economist Mark Smith.
Meanwhile, rental prices continue to moderate.
Rent prices increased 2.6% in the 12 months to June 2025, following a 2.8% rise in the year to May.
The 2.6% increase is the lowest lift for rent prices since October 2011, when they rose 2.5%, Stats NZ said.
On a monthly basis, rents were flat, rising just 0.1%.
ASB’s Smith is forecasting it to land at an annual rate of 2.8% and rising above 3% in the third quarter.
That would be above the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1-3%. Elevated inflation concerns prompted the RBNZ to pause its cycle of interest rate cuts last week.
But Smith noted that there were good reasons to expect inflation to move lower by the end of the year and into 2026.
Reduced demand due to weak economic conditions should be disinflationary forces for the service sector and other non-tradable parts of the economy.
“We expect a further 25bp OCR cut in August but acknowledge that weak activity data and the downward skew to global risks could see a sub 3% OCR emerge by year-end,” he said.
But this outlook was not without risk, Smith said.
There was a possibility that the uptick in inflation proved to be more persistent than transitory, “providing an unwelcome lift to inflation expectations that central banks have worked arduously to re-anchor post-Covid”.
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3 hours ago

Assistant Manager - Restaurant

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: NZ$25.00 - NZ$30.00 per hour

Job description:

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Job description:

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Assistant Restaurant Managers to help lead operations at our popular Indian restaurant located in the vibrant heart of Milford, Auckland. These full-time, permanent position is ideal for hospitality professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in delivering outstanding dining experiences.

About the Role

As an Assistant Restaurant Manager, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Restaurant Manager in the smooth day-to-day running of the business. You’ll assist in maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, and operational efficiency while mentoring a diverse and energetic team. You will also contribute to building a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the warmth and authenticity of Indian hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Support the Restaurant Manager and business owner in planning, coordinating, and monitoring daily restaurant operations to ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
Collaborate with Chefs to plan seasonal and promotional menus, ensuring dishes remain true to traditional Indian flavours while appealing to a broad customer base.
Supervise and actively participate in front-of-house operations, including guest greetings, reservations, service flow, and complaint resolution.
Oversee stock management, cost control, and supplier relationships, ensure accurate ordering, inventory tracking, and waste minimisation within budgetary parameters.
Organise and coordinate special events, functions, and catering services in collaboration with the Restaurant Manager.
Maintain compliance with health, safety, and hygiene standards in accordance with New Zealand food regulations.
Recruit, train, roster, and coach staff members to foster a motivated and customer-focused team culture.
Review customer feedback and identify opportunities for service improvement.
Assist with administrative duties such as cash handling, daily reconciliation, and performance reporting.
Monitor Delivery App side of business, co-ordinate with the service providers to increase the sale.
Skills and Requirements

Minimum 4 year of relevant management or supervisory experience in a busy hospitality environment, or a relevant qualification in Hospitality Management or a related field.
Availability to work 30 – 35 hours per week on a 7-day roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and guide staff in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities, capable of staying calm under pressure.
Solid understanding of food cost management, stock control, and basic financial reporting.
Genuine passion for Indian cuisine and hospitality, with an eye for detail and customer satisfaction.
A proactive, hands-on attitude and willingness to assist in all areas of service when required.
What We Offer

Competitive pay based on experience and performance.
A friendly, multicultural work environment with opportunities for career development and advancement.
The chance to contribute to restaurant's improvement with loyal customer followings and strong community ties.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents, or credentials to seek work visa in New Zealand.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Free food
Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person