There are questions over Countdown supermarkets definition of everyday essentials after it announced a price freeze on more than 600 of them to help people struggling with the rising cost of living.
The price of items on the list will be frozen from 9 May, for the duration of winter and potentially beyond, regardless of what happens with inflation or other increased costs.
The list includes, rice, flour, diced tomatoes and eggs, but there's very little fresh produce included and plenty of snacks like potato chips, chocolate biscuits and several wine options.
So how useful are the "frozen" price goods and can you actually conjure up a decent meal using them?
Founder of foodlovers.co.nz and former food editor Helen Jackson talks to Lisa Owen.
