Wonderful fresh food at good prices is an integral part of New Zealand lifestyle, one that New Zealanders often take for granted. There are many great cafes that reflect our informal way of life, offering fresh cuisine and some of the best coffee you will ever taste!

We are a major producer of pasture-fed lamb, venison and beef. Dairy products, fruit and vegetables are bountiful and inexpensive. New Zealand has a wide range of local and imported food, easily available.

For dining out, food outlets range from casual dining and café food to exclusive and expensive evening restaurants - as well as international fast-food chains and local ''takeaway'' shops for fish and chips.

New Zealand wines are world famous - many of New Zealand regions are now producing grapes for winemaking. Restaurants may have a full liquor license or you can bring your own bottle of wine, for a small corkage fee.

Ethnic cuisine (French, Korean, Thai, various types of Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, Japanese, Greek etc) is available in the cities. Suburban shopping malls and city shopping arcades have food courts - areas with multiple vendors where you can try different sorts of food for a very reasonable price. Weekend markets are a good place to find Asian vegetables and other ethnic ingredients.

Here are some of our traditional favourite foods you might like to try while you are in New Zealand: Bacon and egg pie, bran muffins, coconut buns, custard squares, fruit mince, fruitcake, gingernuts, chocolate fish, pies, corned beef, pumpkin soup, sally lunn/boston buns (a type of fruit bun with coconut icing), scones, Marmite (sandwich spreads).

Supermarkets

Most people buy their food at large supermarkets, which are also open in the evenings and at weekends. Most supermarkets provide plastic bags for the goods you buy, but some are "pack your own". Many have a free telephone so you can call a taxi to take you and your shopping home.

Organic Food

Supermarkets sell some organically-grown food and there are also specialist stores which stock a large range of specialist brands.

Typical Meals:

• Breakfast: toast, cereal with milk and fruit; in winter, porridge with milk
• Lunch: sandwiches, salad, sushi, fresh fruit, biscuits and cake
• Dinner : Meat or fish, vegetables, potatoes, pasta or rice. This is the main meal of the day eaten around 6pm.