![\"Vegetable](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4PDZ40B_IMG_7186_JPG.jpeg\")
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\nVegetable stalls at Otara markets.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/Luka Forman\n<\/p>\n
With the war in Iran pushing up the cost of everyday goods, some New Zealanders are having to choose between putting fuel in their car or putting good quality food on the table.<\/p>\n
Some are choosing to buy cheaper meat or fruit and veges, catching the bus instead of driving or picking up overtime at their jobs to get by.<\/p>\n
RNZ visited two of South Auckland’s weekend markets to find out how people are coping.<\/p>\n
Difficult choices<\/p>\n
At the Otara markets, you can find some great deals on fresh fruit and vegetables and mouthwatering food stalls.<\/p>\n
People were taking advantage of cheaper prices for produce – but many were still struggling.<\/p>\n
Local woman Miriama said the rising cost of food and fuel had left her with some difficult choices.<\/p>\n
“Have you got enough gas in the car to go to work? Or do you cut back on the meat you have? And then when you’re going to buy mince that’s so expensive, and that was like a staple which is no longer a staple anymore.”<\/p>\n
“Then you come to the markets to try and find your vegetables or things you can’t afford to go to go to the grocery store for, and even Pak’nSave isn’t enough anymore. I would say it’s pretty abysmal.”<\/p>\n
Food prices have jumped up 4.5 percent in the year to February, with some items like beef mince and sirloin steak up more than 20 percent.<\/p>\n
![\"South](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4PDZ4PL_IMG_7182_JPG.jpeg\")
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\nSouth Auckland man George at Otara markets.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/Luka Forman\n<\/p>\n
George, who worked as a glazier, had been picking up overtime in the early hours to get by.<\/p>\n
“I start at 2’oclock this morning, finished at 8, just come down to the market to get some food. I’m doing nine hour shifts a day but they want OT eh? Might as well grab it while it’s there.”<\/p>\n
The government’s policies were not helping people like him with the cost of living, he said.<\/p>\n
“Especially working class, that’s why I come here to get my veges bro it’s cheaper. Supermarket’s a ripoff too.”<\/p>\n
Alot of the blame lay at the feet of President Trump, he said.<\/p>\n
“It all starts from him, with the fuel and all that, with Iran and all that. He shouldn’t get involved with them, just let them do their business.”<\/p>\n
Catching the bus<\/p>\n
Over at the Mangere market, solo mum Doreen said she had started catching the bus with her three children because of the cost of petrol.<\/p>\n
“I live in Otahuhu at the moment and have to travel to Mangere to school. $3 something a litre? I’ve already ran out three times!”<\/p>\n
The government’s $50 per week support package to help some families with the cost of fuel was not enough, she said.<\/p>\n
“Per child yeah that’d be great. But for a family, that’s just bugger-all really.”<\/p>\n
![\"South](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4PDZ1H4_IMG_7212_JPG.jpeg\")
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\nSouth Auckland woman Doreen with her son at Mangere markets.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/Luka Forman\n<\/p>\n
So what were people’s best tips to save money in tough economic times?<\/p>\n
“Stay home!” Doreen laughed.<\/p>\n
“If you have any money, my best tip is whenever you get coins just try to stick the coins away because they do add up”, Miriama said.<\/p>\n
Back in Otara, George was just taking things one day at a time.<\/p>\n
“We just got to survive mate. Nothing else than that. As long as you can wake up in the morning and go to work.”<\/p>\n