Abstract
Since the 1970s, the Department of Human Nutrition (previously Home Science Extension with the School of Home Science) at the University of Otago has conducted an annual Food Cost Survey. The Food Cost Survey is based on a basket of food designed to meet dietary needs of adult males and females (19 years and over), adolescents (11 to 18 years), school aged children (10 and 5 years) and preschool children and infants (4 and 1 years). In recent years food costs have been reported for five cities in New Zealand including Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton. However, from this year forward, Hamilton will no longer be included in the survey.
Most healthy families or individuals will meet their nutritional needs when spending the amount of money specified as the basic costs. However, spending less than this amount increases the risk of not getting all the necessary nutrients. Many people will not lack energy or nutrients when spending less than this amount on food if they make careful management choices. However, the chances of consuming an inadequate diet increase as the amount spent to purchase food falls below the basic costs.
Survey methods were revised prior to collecting 2014 data, so 2014-2016 food costs are not directly comparable to previous years. In 2016 estimated weekly food costs for an adult male basic diet were: Auckland $64, Wellington $64, Christchurch $63, and Dunedin $65.