The bell tolls for the humble saveloy
Ever wondered if Saveloys are still popular with shoppers? Statistics New Zealand has just updated the basket of goods it uses to track the cost of living. The new basket paints a picture of an increasingly fast-paced, digital society ? where a bunch of cut flowers is more popular than growing a rose bush. The consumer?s price index goods basket is updated about once every three years to reflect how New Zealanders spend their money. The red sausage adored by many true Kiwis, along with condensed milk and fresh peaches, has been struck out of the basket of food items measured in the food price index. Of every $100 spent on food, around $21 is spent on eating out or takeaways; $17 is on proteins (meat, poultry and fish); $14 is on fruit and veges; $10 is on non-alcoholic drinks; and $38 is on grocery food. Last year the increase in grocery items was noticeable, going up on average by 1 to 5 percent. Last week The Northern Courier asked shoppers if they had changed their habits. Whitby resident Amy Chartrand says her daughter MacKenzie helps her grow herbs and lettuce in their garden. Mrs Chartrand notices herself buying more in season produce and would like the option of knowing where produce comes from. ?They don?t say where it comes from; you just don?t get the option ? sometimes you can tell with Chinese and NZ garlic, and I?ll choose the NZ garlic. ?But when you need something, the other will have to do,? she says. Hilary Stevenson goes to the Lions market in Tawa more frequently and is buying less meat. ?I?m not eating much meat to be honest; the health reasons are there also as eating vegetables is better for you. ?I guess I?ve been going to more supermarkets and reading the flyers for specials ? I?m getting what I normally do but at a cheaper price,? she says. Bevan Williams has noticed the rise in fruit and vegetable prices and goes to the Lower Hutt markets more. ?I?m more aware of the price in my choices, less chocolate I?d say,? Mr Williams says. Statistics New Zealand says the most significant price increases in the last year were in soft drinks, prepared meats and small goods and bread. If you eat takeaways or eat out, you will also pay a little more. The only subgroup to decrease in price was fresh chickens and some fruit and vegetables. And while seasonal produce is becoming more widely available all year round, some shoppers still look for New Zealand-grown fruit and vegetables. Grocery items like hummus ? unthinkable on the average Kiwi's shopping list 10 or 20 years ago ? has become mainstream as we embrace a more Mediterranean style of eating. What are your views? Do you think the price increases in supermarkets are fair? Have you changed your shopping habits because of the changes? Email The Northern Courier or phone 237 3208. POSSIBLE SIDE BAR Header Facts and Figures on how we live Statistics New Zealand consumer?s price index figures also showed households had changed in their choices for goods and services. Solid fuel burners were out and heat pumps were in. Brooms and bleach didn?t feature anymore, but automatic dishwashing powder did. On the rise are digital music downloads, free-to-air digital TV receivers and memory cards for cameras. Photographic film is out, and cathode ray tube televisions have given way to plasma and LCD sets. And we buy things at auctions, especially online. Many of the items added are from advances in technology as well as factors such as environmental sustainability. In December, 2008, about 200,000 Kiwis were travelling in and out of the country. Not surprisingly, the United Kingdom is the most travelled to European destination. New Zealanders make almost two million overseas trips every year ? twice as many as in 1995. One out of every five Kiwis who go to Europe now prefers France, Germany, or Italy.
