Why Is Food So Expensive When New Zealand Produces So Much?

Food is something every New Zealander depends on every day, yet few of us stop to consider the complex systems that make our food supply possible.

New Zealand produces sufficient food to meet domestic needs many times over, but food affordability, supply chain resilience and equitable access remain significant challenges. Climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, global trade disruptions, energy and fuel costs, environmental pressures and changing consumer expectations are reshaping how food is produced, distributed and accessed.

As New Zealand prepares for the 2026 General Election, questions about the future of our food systems are becoming increasingly important. Why is food so expensive in a country that produces so much? How resilient are we to global shocks? How do we balance exports with domestic needs? And what role should government, industry and communities play in ensuring all New Zealanders can access affordable, nutritious food?

This inaugural Universities New Zealand Election Series brings together leading researchers from across Aotearoa to explore the evidence behind this important national conversation. Hosted by Lincoln University, the event is part of a new Universities New Zealand initiative bringing university research and expertise into the public conversations that matter as New Zealand approaches the 2026 General Election.

Rather than debating political positions or advocating particular policies, this forum will examine what current research tells us about New Zealand’s food system, the challenges it faces and the choices that lie ahead.

The discussion will bring together perspectives spanning economics, food policy, consumer behaviour, public health, nutrition, food systems and indigenous food provenance, exploring how these different parts of the system connect.

Wednesday 23rd September
1.00pm-3.00pm
Inaka, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University & virtual livestream