Our Favourite New Zealand Food

You'll get the impression throughout this site that we think that life in New Zealand is pretty good. Here are some of the foods we would especially miss if we ever went back to the UK...

As with the Can I Get...in New Zealand? list, we would really appreciate your suggestions here. Please contact us!

Apples

Here in Christchurch we are very fortunate to have a great selection of market gardens all along Marshlands Road (starting at the intersection of Marshlands Road and QEII drive, and heading away from Christchurch). We know our particular favourite as The Apple Man, and he is right on the corner by the big roundabout. He only sells what he grows, which is a huge selection of apples, pears and magnificent King Edward potatoes. And he only stays open when the fruit is in season, so you'll never buy a floury refrigerated apple from him. As they say, an apple a day...

Salmon

The variety of salmon farmed in the South Island of New Zealand is different to the Atlantic salmon you'll find in the UK. It's quinnat (king) or Chinook generally, which is harder to farm - but much better to eat. The oil in the fish is right throughout the flesh rather than just under the skin, so it does not dry out so much when it is cooked. We buy our salmon from Rare Fare in Papanui, as it is the same price as the fish at the supermarket - but it is delivered fresh every day, and they pin-bone it for you. A side of salmon which easily feeds the family is around $20, so it is not cheap - but it is good, and good for you!

Marshmallow Easter Eggs 

We're going out on a bit of a limb here, but one thing you won't find in the UK is a marshmallow easter egg. And they are well worth trying. Generally two marshmallow discs dipped in chocolate and stuck together to form an egg shape, you can get them foil wrapped or un-wrapped, with or without yolks, and in more and more creative flavours. And yes, you can get all the hollow chocolate eggs you could possibly want, and even creme eggs - which are imported directly from the UK!

Souvlaki

Apparently this is a Christchurch thing, but you'll find plenty of what you'll know as kebab shops around. Here though they have elevated the humble doner to an art form, and you don't have to be drunk to enjoy them! If you are in Christchurch at the weekend Arts Centre Market, we highly recommend the busy souvlaki stand nearest the cinema.

Real Fruit Ice Creams

New Zealand ice creams are generally excellent, and there are plenty of new flavours to try - boysonberry and hokey pokey in particular are kiwi favourites. But don't pass up an opportunity to try a real fruit ice cream - frozen fruit mixed through creamy vanilla ice cream. Bliss! They are often available from fruit & vege shops or fruit farms.

Broadbase International will work with you every step of the way to help you make a confident start to your new life in New Zealand. Please contact us if you have any questions about the financial side of life in New Zealand, and don't forget to order your free copy of our comprehensive New Zealand Guide.