Cost of a block of cheese hits over $20… again

Monday, 17 February 2025

A shopper in a Wellington supermarket made the shocking discovery that a 1kg block of cheese cost $20.89 during a shop on Sunday.

The expensive Rolling Meadow Tasty cheese brick was spotted in New World Thordon -the second time Stuff has seen the price in six months.

Mainland’s Tasty Cheese was $20 in Wellington’s Petone Woolworths back in August 2024.

The shopper, Michael Wilson, was hoping cheese breaking the $20 barrier “doesn’t become the norm.”

“Cheese prices have been jumping around a lot so it one of the only items I check,” he said.

While Rolling Meadow cheese isn’t available everywhere, Mainland’s Block of Tasty Aged Cheddar cost $18.69 at the nearest Pak ‘n’ Save to Thorndon, which is in Kilbirnie.

At the same time, Woolworths Kilbirnie and Cable Car Lane listed Mainland Cheese at $19.90 on their website.

Down in Christchurch, a block of Rolling Meadow Tasty Cheese goes for $21.99 at Pak ‘n’ Save Moorhouse, while Mainland’s Tasty Aged Cheddar 1kg is $17.99, 20 cents cheaper than its 700g version.

In Auckland, Pak ‘n’ Save on Lincoln Road lists Mainland Tasty Aged Cheddar for $18.69, and Rolling Meadow Tasty Cheese for $17.59.

Ponsonby Woolworths did not sell the Rolling Meadow Tasty Cheese block, but sold Mainland Tasty Aged Cheddar for $19.90.

New World Kaikoura sold Rolling Meadow Tasty for $19.99.

Stats NZ reports that food prices are up 1.9% in January this year compared to December 2024.

Grocery food overall went up 3% in price annually.