A Wellington Way to Shop Smarter
This is One Network Wellington Live, your local voice in Wellington, New Zealand. We’re buzzing about something new that’s got our city of 215,000 chatting over coffee and fish and chips—the Food SAVER App. It’s a clever little tool that helps you save cash when you shop for groceries. With prices climbing and wallets feeling the pinch, this app’s got Wellington supermarkets on board and locals like you excited. Let’s dig into how it works, why it’s here, and what it means for your weekly shop.
Why Wellington Needed This
Wellington’s a cracking place—windy streets, top-notch cafés, and a love for good kai. But lately, the cost of food’s been a right headache. A loaf of bread’s nudging NZ$2, milk’s up to NZ$1.50, and don’t get us started on mince—NZ$5 a kilo if you’re lucky! Stats NZ says grocery prices jumped 6% last year, and that’s hit us hard. Whether you’re a student in Kelburn, a family in Miramar, or a retiree in Karori, every cent counts.
That’s where the Food SAVER App comes in. It’s the brainchild of a Wellington lad, Jamie Carter, who got fed up watching his mates struggle at the till. “I saw people wincing at checkout,” Jamie told us over a flat white at a Cuba Street café. “Supermarkets have deals, but who’s got time to hunt them? I thought—why not make an app that does it for you?” Jamie’s a tech whiz, and he’s built something to tackle Wellington’s grocery woes head-on.
How It Works
The app’s dead simple. You download it—free, no faff—on your phone. Then, you type in what you need: bread, eggs, spuds, whatever’s on your list. Food SAVER scans prices from big Wellington supermarkets like Countdown in Newtown, Pak’nSave in Kilbirnie, and New World in Thorndon. It finds the cheapest deals, shows you where to go, and even flags specials—like mince for NZ$4 instead of NZ$5. You save cash without traipsing round town.
We met Sarah, a 32-year-old mum from Hataitai, who’s hooked. “I used to spend NZ$120 a week on groceries,” she says, pushing her trolley at Countdown. “Now, with Food SAVER, I’m down to NZ$100. It told me Pak’nSave had cheaper milk and two-for-one sausages. Brilliant!” Sarah’s not alone—thousands of Wellingtonians have grabbed the app since it launched last month.
Supermarkets Join In
Here’s the big news: Wellington’s supermarkets are backing it. Countdown, Pak’nSave, and New World have teamed up with Jamie. They share their prices with Food SAVER, so you get the real deal, straight from the source. No guesswork, no dodgy data—just the lowest prices at your fingertips. “We want folks to save,” says Lisa Brown, boss at Countdown Newtown. “This app helps us show our best deals. It’s a win for everyone.”
It’s not just talk. Pak’nSave Kilbirnie’s manager, Tom Evans, told us they’ve seen more punters since the app started. “People come in knowing exactly what’s cheap,” he says, stacking baked beans. “Last week, we had a rush on NZ$1 bread rolls after Food SAVER flagged it.” New World Thorndon’s chipped in too, with boss Mike Patel saying, “Customers love it. They save, we sell—it’s sorted.”
A Local Answer to a Big Problem
Wellington’s always been clever at fixing things. Look at Zealandia’s predator fence—25 years ago, they built the world’s first to save our birds. Now, Jamie’s app is our answer to rising food costs. It’s not just about saving a few bucks—it’s about making life easier. Take Aroha, a 25-year-old barista from Te Aro. “I work long shifts,” she says, sipping a latte. “I can’t trek round shops for bargains. Food SAVER does it for me—I saved NZ$15 last week!”
The app’s got Wellington buzzing because it fits us. We’re a city that loves a deal but hates faff. Stats NZ reckons we spend NZ$150 a week on average for a family shop. If Food SAVER cuts that by even 10%, that’s NZ$15 back in your pocket—enough for a coffee at Maranui Café or a pie from the bakery. It’s no wonder downloads hit 10,000 in the first month.
Facing the Doubters
Not everyone’s sold, mind. Some reckon it’s too good to be true. Dave, a 60-year-old retiree from Johnsonville, isn’t keen. “I don’t trust phones,” he grumbles, bagging spuds at New World. “What if it’s wrong? I’d rather see prices myself.” Fair point—tech’s not for everyone. Jamie admits there were teething problems. “Early on, a glitch showed old specials,” he says. “We fixed it fast. Supermarkets update us daily now.”
Others worry supermarkets might hike prices to offset the savings. But Lisa from Countdown shakes her head. “That’s not how it works,” she says. “We’re competing—Food SAVER keeps us honest.” Tom at Pak’nSave agrees. “If we jack up prices, people just shop elsewhere. The app makes sure we stay sharp.”
A Day with Food SAVER
Let’s see it in action. Picture you’re in Miramar, planning a Sunday roast. You open Food SAVER and type: chicken, potatoes, carrots, gravy. In seconds, it pings back—Countdown Newtown’s got chicken for NZ$8 (down from NZ$10), Pak’nSave Kilbirnie’s selling spuds at NZ$2 a bag, and New World Thorndon’s got carrots cheap. You nip to each spot—or just one if you’re lazy—and save NZ$5 overall. At the till, that’s real cash in your hand.
We tried it ourselves at One Network Wellington Live. Our reporter, Kate, did her shop with the app. “I spent NZ$45 instead of NZ$55,” she says, chuffed. “It’s like having a mate who knows all the bargains.” Kate’s roast was a hit—chicken, veg, and extra cash for a pudding. That’s the Food SAVER magic.
Wellington’s Response
The app’s got people talking. At the Karori Community Centre, we found Jenny, a 45-year-old nurse. “It’s a lifesaver,” she says. “I’ve got three kids—every dollar helps. Last week, I got mince for NZ$4.50 instead of NZ$6.” Down at the Wellington Market, stallholder Rangi nods. “Punters tell me they’re using it for supermarket deals, then buying fresh stuff here. It’s brill.”
Even the bigwigs are noticing. The Commerce Commission, who’ve been sniffing round supermarkets for dodgy pricing, gave a thumbs-up. “We like tools that help shoppers,” a spokesperson said. “Food SAVER’s a step forward.” That’s high praise in a city where trust’s hard-won.
What’s Next?
Jamie’s not stopping. “We’re adding more,” he says, eyes bright. “Next month, you’ll see small shops—butchers, greengrocers—on the app. Then, maybe recipes to match the deals.” Imagine typing “dinner” and getting a cheap shepherd’s pie plan, with prices from Kilbirnie to Khandallah. He’s even eyeing other cities—Christchurch, Auckland—but Wellington’s his first love.
Supermarkets are keen to keep it rolling. Mike from New World says, “We’re planning app-only deals—watch this space.” Lisa at Countdown’s testing a loyalty link-up—use Food SAVER, earn points. It’s early days, but the app’s growing fast. Downloads are up to 15,000 now, and Jamie’s hiring mates to keep it smooth.
Saving Cash, Wellington Style
So, how would you feel if Food SAVER slashed your bill? Sarah’s chuffed—she’s got NZ$20 extra for her kids’ treats. Aroha’s thrilled—more cash for a night out. Even Dave’s thawing—he tried it once and saved NZ$3. “Might use it again,” he mutters. That’s Wellington—practical, clever, and up for a bargain.
The app’s a bit like our wind—you can’t see it, but you feel it. It’s not just about saving cash; it’s about shopping smarter in a city that’s always on the go. Stats NZ says food’s our biggest expense after rent—NZ$7,800 a year for a family. If Food SAVER trims that by 10%, that’s NZ$780 back. A holiday to the Wairarapa, maybe?
Picture yourself at the till—Countdown, Pak’nSave, wherever. Your trolley’s full, but your wallet’s not crying. Food SAVER’s got your back, finding deals from Thorndon to Tawa. It’s Wellington’s answer to a global problem—high prices, tight budgets. Jamie’s app isn’t perfect yet, but it’s ours, and it’s working.