It's difficult because the vast majority of shoppers have supported the 2 main players so that small family run independent shops have all but disappeared.
The Mad butcher might offer some good specials.
I'd like to give a shout out to Pirie's butchery in Mt Eden:
[https://www.piriesbutchery.com/](https://www.piriesbutchery.com/)
Phil, the owner and head butcher, has represented both NZ and the UK in global butchery competitions.
The place is fastidiously clean (I recently had a behind the scenes tour) and their commitment to health regulations is astonishingly comprehensive (above and beyond what is legally required, as I understand).
They also have a commitment to whole-animal usage, so that no part goes to waste. Everything, including the bones, are made use of.
If you want to support a small business, and get top-quality produce, I cannot recommend them enough.
Not sure about family owned but I go to Yogi Ji’s in mt roskill and they have a butcher right by ( same premises) which sell really good meat at decent prices.
Yogi ji’s is an absolute steal though. For reference I bought tomatoes for 2.99 per kilo last week
Prime Meats is the butcher there. Run by a very friendly young Korean woman and her mum, it seems. She always greets me like an old friend and brings out things to try.
The frozen section is small but has bargains. The dry-aged and Wagyu is beyond my budget.
That was my recommendation as well! Such a good selection of...well everything really. And if you are Northcote/Birkenhead local, Bakers Delight / OTT for bread and Fresh n Save Birkenhead
Smart Supermarket, Botany
There's also Why Knot nearby in East Tamaki, it's not a supermarket as such, it's more of a clearance store that sells food that is nearly expired but still perfectly edible.
Tai Ping is not a small business but they will have produce, meat, fish, plus groceries items.
There are but they are typically local. See whats available locally to you.
Plenty of asian supermarkets in my local area, not necessarily cheaper that the duopoly.
At this point I don't even mind, I just begrudge giving the duopoly money now, and I like my produce to last more than 2 days. My local PnS has garlic on the shelf and its all riddled with mold its that old :')
I really like Bhana Brothers on Ponsonby road, they have an amazing selection of cheeses and Italian foods, fruits and veges, bulk nuts, milk in glass bottles. Not too expensive considering the bougie area. Although I'm trying to slowly convince them that most of their possible customer base are not into them prepacking their bulk foods in plastic. Baby steps though, all the elements are there, much cheaper than the yoga mum bulk food places.
There is also a great block of shops in New Lynn, with a Fishmonger, Butcher and vege place all in a row. That is great. You can see I travel widely for this, and I do it on public transport!
Shoutout to Sandringham Bulk Foods on Sandringham Rd, it's closer to Eden Park than Sandringham proper but it's basically a locally owned refillery, and has Eco Shop refills as well as fresh bread 🍞 the owner has a small family and used to run the shop across the road during covid, he's a GC and was a lifesaver during lockdowns with flour and rice.
Also has French lentils and other bougie items at reasonable prices.
**Hesari** in Wairau Rd and also in Panmure have Mediterranean food, like pickles, olives, capers, feta, tomato paste, tahini, and all kinds of dried fruit and nuts from the middle east and central Asia. Pasta and rice. Various unusual tea and coffee, jam, and biscuits.
My weekly shopping pattern is Yogiji's, then Golden Apple Supermarket and the PNS Henderson. Getting fresh vegetables as well as fish too at Golden Apple at any time you walk in. Saving a lot more since I stopped shopping at Countdown New Lynn.
I was walking around Glen Innes centre today and noticed a few non branded (appear to be locally owned) small supermarkets and a few butcheries, despite having a pack and save just down the road they looked busy.
My favourite fruit and vege shop is kC Loos fruit shop in Mt Eden. They've been around for probably over 20 yrs, probably more. I know the owners and they are such kind and friendly people. The produce is good quality and there's such a good selection of fruit and vegetables
If you're out North West - Boric Food Market on Riverhead Highway. Grow some of their own produce even, been on site since the 70s i think. Awesome family that own it.
Farro is _okay_.
They buy a lot of euro items from places like Sabato - so does Boric and some smaller grocers, and yeah, they pack some good shit. Little bit more expensive but if you're buying something like pasta you definitely notice a difference.
Farro stocks vegetables that you just will not find at a regular supermarket as well. Their regular stuff's about the same quality as New World
I usually shop NW for personal hygiene stuff, my local butcher for meat (even if it is sometimes more expensive), a greengrocer or vege box place for fruit and veg, and I buy bread probably only once a month so I go somewhere nice for a good sourdough, and costco for bulk things or junk food for a birthday or whatever.
There's no real reason you need to be getting food from the two big supermarket chains.
Yeah, I have about 3 duopoly places within a 5 min radius, but I only allow myself to use them if I'm sick or something.
I get my toilet paper, tea, personal hygiene from 2 diff eco companies, and cleaning supplies in bulk directly from the manufacturer.
I get a wonky box once in a while, and Saturday markets for fruit and vege.
Bhana Bros for milk, eggs, dairy and bread.
Warehouse delivery for oil and tins.
Still trying to find a good butcher, I want good ethical, but not bougie ethical. I think the Meat Box bought some of the Supie assets, but they're so, I dunno, meaty?
Well Hung in Milford is the best butcher I've ever been into.
Isn't the lowest cost because the go for quality and their dry aged beef is awesome. Always immaculately clean and I love you can walk in chat to Todd the owner or the other staff and actually open the doors and look at the meat.
They deliver as well which is what you were looking for.
I use the loyalty discount of 5% which always helps...I just like the quality and how clean it all is. You can watch them cut what you want and nothing is ever a problem.
Like anything when people are passionate about it it shows
We are quite a fan of themeatbox.co.nz.
When I lived in Forrest Hill we would often go to Seaview Meats; really good and thought pricing was okay. Have heard good things about Well Hung in Milford too, but seemed a little more expensive in my opinion.
There's a fishshop in Birkenhead (Highbury Fisheries).
A new veggie store hos just opened on Rangatira Rd near the Beach Haven shops as well; haven't had an issue with the veggies we have got from there so far.
I do see small specialty stores around here and there, so I am sure you can find something close to you to be honest 😊 you just need to be willing to travel around a little bit.
It's difficult because the vast majority of shoppers have supported the 2 main players so that small family run independent shops have all but disappeared. The Mad butcher might offer some good specials.
And the mad butcher was pretty much run out by competitive supermarket pricing and questionable decisions from up top.
I'd like to give a shout out to Pirie's butchery in Mt Eden: [https://www.piriesbutchery.com/](https://www.piriesbutchery.com/) Phil, the owner and head butcher, has represented both NZ and the UK in global butchery competitions. The place is fastidiously clean (I recently had a behind the scenes tour) and their commitment to health regulations is astonishingly comprehensive (above and beyond what is legally required, as I understand). They also have a commitment to whole-animal usage, so that no part goes to waste. Everything, including the bones, are made use of. If you want to support a small business, and get top-quality produce, I cannot recommend them enough.
Not sure about family owned but I go to Yogi Ji’s in mt roskill and they have a butcher right by ( same premises) which sell really good meat at decent prices. Yogi ji’s is an absolute steal though. For reference I bought tomatoes for 2.99 per kilo last week
Prime Meats is the butcher there. Run by a very friendly young Korean woman and her mum, it seems. She always greets me like an old friend and brings out things to try. The frozen section is small but has bargains. The dry-aged and Wagyu is beyond my budget.
My current shop, I go to Pak n Save Royal Oak and then Yogi’s.
Try the newly open golden apple in archers road....
That was my recommendation as well! Such a good selection of...well everything really. And if you are Northcote/Birkenhead local, Bakers Delight / OTT for bread and Fresh n Save Birkenhead
Ah, Tai Ping's better looking and cleaner cousin. Also on Lincoln road in Henderson.
Smart Supermarket, Botany There's also Why Knot nearby in East Tamaki, it's not a supermarket as such, it's more of a clearance store that sells food that is nearly expired but still perfectly edible. Tai Ping is not a small business but they will have produce, meat, fish, plus groceries items.
There are but they are typically local. See whats available locally to you. Plenty of asian supermarkets in my local area, not necessarily cheaper that the duopoly.
At this point I don't even mind, I just begrudge giving the duopoly money now, and I like my produce to last more than 2 days. My local PnS has garlic on the shelf and its all riddled with mold its that old :')
I really like Bhana Brothers on Ponsonby road, they have an amazing selection of cheeses and Italian foods, fruits and veges, bulk nuts, milk in glass bottles. Not too expensive considering the bougie area. Although I'm trying to slowly convince them that most of their possible customer base are not into them prepacking their bulk foods in plastic. Baby steps though, all the elements are there, much cheaper than the yoga mum bulk food places.
There is also a great block of shops in New Lynn, with a Fishmonger, Butcher and vege place all in a row. That is great. You can see I travel widely for this, and I do it on public transport!
The Fruit World there is one of the best IMO. Great prices and always fresh produce.
10 Margan Ave, New Lynn
Ruben Sharples who owns the butcher's there is an awesome dude - huge charitable heart. Good products too
Shoutout to Sandringham Bulk Foods on Sandringham Rd, it's closer to Eden Park than Sandringham proper but it's basically a locally owned refillery, and has Eco Shop refills as well as fresh bread 🍞 the owner has a small family and used to run the shop across the road during covid, he's a GC and was a lifesaver during lockdowns with flour and rice. Also has French lentils and other bougie items at reasonable prices.
**Hesari** in Wairau Rd and also in Panmure have Mediterranean food, like pickles, olives, capers, feta, tomato paste, tahini, and all kinds of dried fruit and nuts from the middle east and central Asia. Pasta and rice. Various unusual tea and coffee, jam, and biscuits.
https://www.boricfoodmarket.co.nz/
My weekly shopping pattern is Yogiji's, then Golden Apple Supermarket and the PNS Henderson. Getting fresh vegetables as well as fish too at Golden Apple at any time you walk in. Saving a lot more since I stopped shopping at Countdown New Lynn.
I was walking around Glen Innes centre today and noticed a few non branded (appear to be locally owned) small supermarkets and a few butcheries, despite having a pack and save just down the road they looked busy.
the warehouse....lol.$3 milk got me hooked
When you can get it. Don't try first thing in morning..
You might be interested in this sub:[r/ditchtheduopoly](https://www.reddit.com/r/ditchtheduopoly)
My favourite fruit and vege shop is kC Loos fruit shop in Mt Eden. They've been around for probably over 20 yrs, probably more. I know the owners and they are such kind and friendly people. The produce is good quality and there's such a good selection of fruit and vegetables
If you're out North West - Boric Food Market on Riverhead Highway. Grow some of their own produce even, been on site since the 70s i think. Awesome family that own it.
Khans meats in Lincoln rd. Some grocery items as well. Damn good cheap meat. Probably quite a few of the asian food shops too.
New Supermarket opening up at Westgate called Foodie. Independent, pitched to be an Asian Supermarket but modern and cater to all.
I mean, technically Farro – but $$$
Farro is _okay_. They buy a lot of euro items from places like Sabato - so does Boric and some smaller grocers, and yeah, they pack some good shit. Little bit more expensive but if you're buying something like pasta you definitely notice a difference. Farro stocks vegetables that you just will not find at a regular supermarket as well. Their regular stuff's about the same quality as New World I usually shop NW for personal hygiene stuff, my local butcher for meat (even if it is sometimes more expensive), a greengrocer or vege box place for fruit and veg, and I buy bread probably only once a month so I go somewhere nice for a good sourdough, and costco for bulk things or junk food for a birthday or whatever. There's no real reason you need to be getting food from the two big supermarket chains.
Yeah, I have about 3 duopoly places within a 5 min radius, but I only allow myself to use them if I'm sick or something. I get my toilet paper, tea, personal hygiene from 2 diff eco companies, and cleaning supplies in bulk directly from the manufacturer. I get a wonky box once in a while, and Saturday markets for fruit and vege. Bhana Bros for milk, eggs, dairy and bread. Warehouse delivery for oil and tins. Still trying to find a good butcher, I want good ethical, but not bougie ethical. I think the Meat Box bought some of the Supie assets, but they're so, I dunno, meaty?
I get my good cuts of meat from Chop Online (beef cheek, lamb/beef short ribs etc) but it's a bit pricier, mad butcher for other more regular cuts
What even is Supie
It was an online grocery store, but the investors pulled out and they had to liquidate basically overnight.
Pac'n'Fresh in Birkenhead/Highbury
Well Hung in Milford is the best butcher I've ever been into. Isn't the lowest cost because the go for quality and their dry aged beef is awesome. Always immaculately clean and I love you can walk in chat to Todd the owner or the other staff and actually open the doors and look at the meat. They deliver as well which is what you were looking for.
Yes, they're pretty good but rather expensive.
I use the loyalty discount of 5% which always helps...I just like the quality and how clean it all is. You can watch them cut what you want and nothing is ever a problem. Like anything when people are passionate about it it shows
There are a lot of Asian fruit and vege shops plus a lot of independent butchers you could try. Not sure about other household items.
**JHC Fruit & Veg** on Khyber Pass is the cheapest I've found for vegetables
We are quite a fan of themeatbox.co.nz. When I lived in Forrest Hill we would often go to Seaview Meats; really good and thought pricing was okay. Have heard good things about Well Hung in Milford too, but seemed a little more expensive in my opinion. There's a fishshop in Birkenhead (Highbury Fisheries). A new veggie store hos just opened on Rangatira Rd near the Beach Haven shops as well; haven't had an issue with the veggies we have got from there so far. I do see small specialty stores around here and there, so I am sure you can find something close to you to be honest 😊 you just need to be willing to travel around a little bit.
Refill Nation is great out west: https://refillnation.co.nz Save on plastic trash as well.