The supermarket with the highest number of price changes in April and May
Amidst allegations of price gouging and shortage of items from antibacterial products to baking products such as flour, Newshub compared the prices of 15 items at PAK'nSave, New World and Countdown on April 25 and May 6.
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The comparison shows that shopping at PAK'nSave is cheapest, costing $57 on May 6, a saving of $7.36 compared to Countdown and $6.24 for New World. The same group of items would cost $63.24 at New World and $64.36 at Countdown, if bought on the same day. Between the two dates, eight items at PAK'nSave were between 10c and $1.10 more expensive on May 8, a total of $2.21 more. Two items had dropped in price, costing a total of $1.30 less. The net difference is a 91c increase on May 6 across the 15 items (a total cost of $56.09 on April 25 and $57 on May 6). With the exception of coco pops and olivani spread, Countdown prices were the same between the two dates. The net difference is a 51c saving on May 6. At New World, two items cost less on May 6 and three items cost more. There is no net difference ($1.70 saved and $1.70 increase). Examples of items found to be cheaper at PAK'nSave across both dates were breakfast cereal (Kellogg's coco pops and Sanitarium muesli), body wash (Palmolive milk & honey), Jif cream cleanser and Anchor milk. Of the items that increased in price between April and May, just three were priced higher at PAK'nSave than at New World or Countdown (cucumber telegraph, Jif and Chef cat food). We asked a group of shoppers which supermarket they prefer and found that their responses were divided. "PAK'nSave is cheaper, they also re-pack your groceries into a trolley," Karen said.
"[I go to] PAK'nSave for the main shop, Countdown for top-ups or the odd thing I can never find (only because Countdown's closer to home)," Angelique said. "Normally I go to Countdown, but buy the specials which saves us more than going to PAK'nSave. I have regularly found the produce to be fresher at Countdown [and] I have a OneCard and get $15 back every so often," Bee said. "We did a comparison and bought the same things a week apart from Countdown and PAK'nSave and found the difference to be about $30," Sue added. "I like New World: great supply of gluten-free alternative products and staff are great," said Carol. Antoinette Laird, Head of Corporate Affairs, Foodstuffs New Zealand said that price gap comparisons are made throughout the year, which enables the company to maintain it's offer of 'New Zealand's lowest food prices'. "Our most recent comparison was conducted in mid-February. On 11 February, one customer did her shop at PAK’nSave Moorhouse. The same customer then completed her same shop at Countdown Moorhouse. She saved $29.73 by shopping at PAK’nSave," Laird said. On 14 February a different customer shopped at PAK’nSave Silverdale, and then at Countdown Silverdale. She saved $40.98." Some customers may prefer the quality and range available at other supermarkets, while price-conscious customers are likely to find PAK'nSave their main go-to. "No in-store frills means we’re able to keep costs low and pass the savings onto our customers," Laird added.
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Fifteen grocery items compared on Sat 25 Ap (lockdown) and Wednesday 06 May (alert level 3):
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Coco pops original 375g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $6.50, PAK'nSave $4.99, New World $6.49
Price change 6/5/20: Countdown $5.00, New World $4.99
Watties mild chilli beans 420g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $2.60, PAK'nSave $2.29, New World $2.59
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.39
Arnotts cruskits rice 125g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.50, PAK'nSave $2.69, New World $3.29
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.79
Jif cleaner cream regular 375g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.49, PAK'nSave $2.89 (lemon only), New World $2.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.09 (reg/lemon)
Diamond Rice Risotto chicken 200g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.00, PAK'nSave $2.79, New World $2.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.89
Pringles original tube 134g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.40, PAK'nSave $2.99, New World $3.49
Price change 6/5/20: New World $3.29
Celery bunch whole:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $4.50, PAK'nSave $4.49, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.29
Cucumber telegraph:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $1.80, PAK'nSave $2.19, New World $2.59
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.29, New World $2.99
Tip Top supersoft sandwich 700g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $3.20, PAK'nSave $3.09, New World $3.19 (toast only)
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.99, New World $3.59 (toast only)
Chef Classic cat food jellymeat can 690g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $3.00, PAK'nSave $2.79, New World $2.79
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.99
Tegel frozen chicken 950g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.00, PAK'nSave $5.25, New World $7.00 (non-frozen) Price change 6/5/20: none
Palmolive naturals milk and honey 500ml:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.00, PAK'nSave $3.99, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $4.30
Sanitarium natural muesli with fruit and 5 grains 625g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $6.99, PAK'nSave: $4.99, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: New World $5.89
Olivani olive oil spread 500g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $4.00 (special), PAK'nSave: $3.89,
New World: $3.99
Price change 6/5/20: Countdown $4.99, PAK'nSave: $3.99
Anchor milk standard blue 3l:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.89, PAK'nSave $6.77, New World: $6.87
Price change 6/5/20: no change
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*Prices were compared at Countdown Three Kings (Mt Eden or Blockhouse Bay if item not available), PAK'nSave Royal Oak and New World Mt Roskill. Home brands were not included due to the inability to compare across supermarkets.
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The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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53.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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80.8% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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19.2% No. This would be impossible in practice.
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