New Zealand father of three who relocated to Australia shocked at how cheap groceries are

A father of three who recently relocated his family has admitted he got a little emotional after checking the receipt of his last Aldi shop.

A father-of-three who was once living paycheck to paycheck in New Zealand has revealed some of the biggest differences between his country and his new-found home in Australia.

For Poreva Kirikava, the decision to pack up and move his family from New Zealand to Australia was driven by financials and a desire to see his family’s needs met.

What he didn’t expect was just how much of a difference a grocery bill could make.

Mr Kirikava and his family stepped into a Sydney Aldi for the first time and had their minds blown.

“It’s day one in Australia and I am so overwhelmed. I cried after I did the food shopping,” he said in a video posted to social media.

“I’m not even joking, I bawled my eyes out. Because in New Zealand there were moments when we thought we weren’t going to eat.”

His grocery haul, which included a dozen eggs, a whole chicken, and packs of Maggi noodles, totalled just $380 — an amount that he believes would have cost him a staggering $1,000 in New Zealand.

“It was unbelievable. I freaked out because in New Zealand a normal shop was $200 to $300 for a family of five and that’s just the first few days, not to mention running out of milk and butter and bread,” he said.

“Whereas here, we got meat, fruit, veg … I got back to the car after buying that many groceries and it was overwhelming.

“My wife and I were speechless and I literally started crying because I just felt like I could afford things now.”

Kirikava said he was paid about $17 more per hour as a youth worker in Australia and could now spend more time with his kids. Picture: Instagram

It’s a stark comparison that reflects the cost of living crisis facing Kiwis in 2024. Those living in one of the nation’s tourist hotspots can expect to pay up to $38 for a burrito.

While New Zealanders are struggling under sky-high prices, many Australians are seeing a slight reprieve, with grocery bills and basic necessities just a little bit more affordable across the Tasman Sea.

“That was the struggle of living in New Zealand,“ he said.

“As beautiful as it is, it came down to taking in the lifestyle and all New Zealand has to offer but not being able to feed your kids.

“I knew I was supposed to be providing for my family and sometimes I didn’t know where the food was going to come from.”

For Poreva Kirikava, the decision to pack up and move his family from New Zealand to Australia was driven by financials.

For context, a dozen eggs in New Zealand costs up to $15, while the same carton in Australia goes for just $4. A 3-litre bottle of milk, which costs $7.50 in New Zealand, is only $4.80 in Australia.

Mangoes on special go for around $6 in the Land of the Long White Cloud. At an Aussie Aldi, you can pick one up for around $1.80.

Petrol paints a similar picture, with parts of New Zealand edging towards the dreaded $3 per litre mark.

Mr Kirikava recalled filling up his tank at $1.89 per litre in Sydney, while the same fuel in New Zealand set him back $2.72.

With a wage increase of $16 per hour Down Under, Mr Kirikava felt his financial situation improve instantly.

Aldi is the go-to for savvy shoppers.

Groceries are expensive. But they’re even more expensive in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s economy, which has been struggling with a higher-than-usual cost of living, has driven more than a third of Kiwis to seriously consider a move to Australia.

Young people have had enough and are leaving in droves, as the price of housing out-accelerates wage growth at demoralising speeds.

Between 2022 and 2023, a record 80,000 Kiwis left for greener pastures, with half of them heading straight for Australia.

The New Zealand government now faces a serious challenge in keeping its young professionals, as many are now realising that a better life might just be across the Tasman.

Everyday Prices: A Snapshot Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of some everyday staples and their average price in New Zealand vs. Australia (prices are approximate).

Dozen Eggs

New Zealand: $15.00

Australia: $4.00

3L Bottle of Milk

New Zealand: $7.50

Australia: $4.80

5-Pack Maggi 2-Minute Noodles

New Zealand: $5.00

Australia: $1.69

Petrol (per litre)

New Zealand: $2.72

Australia: $1.89

Loaf of Bread

New Zealand: $2.99

Australia: $1.25

Originally published as New Zealand father of three who relocated to Australia shocked at how cheap groceries are