Food is one of the biggest day-to-day expenses on the road—but with a little planning and local know-how, it’s easy to eat well without breaking the bank. Whether you’re simmering a one-pan meal in your camper or picking up fresh goodies from a roadside stall, Aotearoa – New Zealand has plenty of ways to shop smart and eat better.
We like to keep things simple and self-sufficient. We make our own bread, bikkies, cereal, and snacks. We catch our own fish, dive for shellfish, and sometimes help out with property maintenance in exchange for meat, eggs, or veggies. We also forage when we can—it’s all part of how we live and
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Major Supermarket Chains
We travel with a trailer, making our total length about 10 metres—so parking can be a challenge in smaller town centres. Some places like Thames are more camper-friendly than others, but with a bit of planning, you’ll manage.
🟣 Pak’nSave
- Best for budget stocking and bulk prices
- Found in most cities and regional hubs
🟣 Woolworths (formerly Countdown)
- Great online ordering, loyalty fuel discounts
- Good range of gluten-free and international foods
🟣 New World
- Slightly more premium pricing
- Excellent produce and bakery sections
- Club card offers weekly specials
➡️ Tip: Bring your own reusable bags. Stores charge for plastic bags. Prices at Woolworths and New World vary based on loyalty cards, but Pak’nSave has fixed pricing—what you see is what you pay.
Shopping Tips for Travellers
- Stock up on dry goods like rice, pasta, oats, and canned foods for longer trips
- Buy fresh produce every 2–3 days to stay ahead of spoilage
- Look for yellow sticker discounts and reduced-to-clear shelves, especially before closing time
- Pack storage tubs to keep your pantry sorted and pest-free
➡️ Local tip: Bin Inn is a great place to buy dry goods by weight—perfect for small quantities and avoiding waste.
Farmers’ Markets & Roadside Stalls
Some of the best kai (food) comes from places that don’t accept cards.
- Farmers’ Markets: Found in most towns on weekends, with seasonal fruit, veg, baking, and often live music
- Honesty Boxes: Dotted along rural roads—just drop your coins in and take your pick of fruit, eggs, or veggies
- Organic Co-ops: Ask locals or visit i-SITE centres for details—these are often small but excellent
➡️ Tip: Carry small change or notes—most stalls don’t have EFTPOS.
Butchers, Bakeries & Local Gems
There’s no shortage of amazing small-town food providers around the country. Supporting them means fresher food, friendlier service, and fewer plastic-wrapped meals.
🥩 Our Favourite Butchers
- Dublin Street Butcher (Whanganui): Try the pork bones or bacon
- M21 Meats (Taupō): Excellent selection and friendly team
- Greytown Butchery (Wairarapa): Known for award-winning saveloys
- Waipawa Butchery (Hawke’s Bay): Sells local, hormone-free meat
- Ngatea Prime Meats (Coromandel): Best steaks in the region
- Darfield Village Meats (Canterbury): A solid South Island favourite
➡️ We prefer butchers over supermarkets when possible—better cuts, great service, and often locally sourced.
🥧 Best Bakeries for a Classic Kiwi Pie
Aotearoa has a genuine pie obsession—there’s even a national competition: NZ Pie Awards
Our must-stops:
- Bella Pane – Putāruru
- Richoux Patisserie – Ellerslie, Auckland
- Fairlie Bakehouse – Fairlie
- Sheffield Pies – Sheffield
➡️ Foodie tip: Grab a pie and a flat white and you’re set for lunch on the go.
🛒 Dairies (corner shops)
Handy for top-ups but more expensive—best for emergency snacks or milk.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
Keeping your campervan kitchen sorted makes meal times easy and enjoyable.
- 🥘 Stick to one-pan meals when possible—less cleanup, more chill
- ❄️ Freeze meat in meal-sized portions to reduce waste
- 🧺 Store dry goods in zip bags or stackable tubs
- 🥕 Not all veggies need refrigeration—keep some in a crate or basket
- 🧊 Use airtight containers to protect from moisture and ants
➡️ Prep tip: We pre-chop our veggies and pack them in zip bags—this saves time and space. Plan 2–3 days of meals ahead so you’re not constantly chasing ingredients.
Dining Apps & Budget Eats
Sometimes you just want someone else to do the cooking! These apps help stretch the budget when you dine out.
🍽️ First Table
- Book early dining slots (often 5–6pm) for 50% off meals
- Available in most major towns and cities
📲 Join First Table
🍽️ GrabOne
- Great for food truck deals, café vouchers, and takeaway options
📲 Browse GrabOne Deals
➡️ Bonus: Watch for night markets and food truck parks—you’ll often find amazing eats and a great atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Eating well in a campervan doesn’t have to be boring or expensive. With a little planning, some local knowledge, and a few must-stop foodie favourites, you can enjoy fresh, tasty meals on the road—and support local businesses along the way.
➡️ Next in the Series: How to Plan a Flexible Aotearoa-New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary in a Campervan
Kia heke iho rā i ngā tūpuna kātahi ka tika
If handed down by our ancestors, then it would be correct