https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/the-price-of-butter In Aotearoa, the average New Zealander earns around NZ$65,000 a year, or about $1,250 a week before tax (Stats NZ, 2023). With the rising cost of living, every dollar matters — yet even basic grocery items like butter are becoming unaffordable.

Mainland butter, made right here in New Zealand, is currently being sold for up to $18.29 for 500g. That’s a shocking $3.66 per 100g.

Meanwhile, Lurpak, a premium Danish import, is sold for just $6 per 200g — only $3 per 100g.

How can imported butter be cheaper than what we make at home?

Fonterra’s CEO, Miles Hurrell, claims this is due to “high international demand.” But that’s no justification for pricing Kiwis out of their own locally produced goods.

New Zealanders:

Produce this butter

Support the dairy industry
Contribute to Fonterra’s success

Yet we are the ones paying the most.

According to Stats NZ, food prices rose 12.1% in 2023 alone. Households are already stretched thin. Local groceries should not be out of reach in a country that prides itself on agricultural excellence.

This petition calls for:

An urgent review of domestic butter pricing

Transparency from Fonterra and other producers on price-setting
A pricing model that puts Kiwis first, not just international profits

Let’s stop exporting affordability while importing struggle.

Sign this petition and stand up for fair food pricing in New Zealand.

We deserve better. We deserve butter we can actually afford.