Supermarket Scene in Queenstown: Supporting Self-Catering and Daily Life
Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s premier resort towns, boasts stunning natural beauty and a wealth of activities. However, for mid to long-term visitors, international students, and working holidaymakers, the biggest hurdle is the ‘high cost of living’. Constantly eating out will quickly deplete your funds.
This is where smart utilization of local supermarkets becomes crucial. Queenstown’s shopping areas are largely divided into two: the ‘Central Business District (CBD)’ and the ‘Frankton area’ near the airport. Locals often use a ‘combined strategy’: driving or taking the bus to large supermarkets in Frankton to buy staple groceries in bulk at lower prices, while also visiting Asian supermarkets for specific condiments or tastes from their home countries.
In this article, we introduce 5 carefully selected spots, ranging from New Zealand’s largest discount supermarket you absolutely must know, to reliable Asian supermarkets (Asian Marts) where you can find familiar Japanese and Asian flavors when you’re feeling nostalgic.
Asian Mart Queenstown (皇后镇亚洲超市)
📍 Address: 19 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
This Asian supermarket is located in a prime spot in Queenstown’s Central Business District (CBD). Since it’s within walking distance from downtown, it’s highly valued by international students without cars and working holidaymakers who work in central restaurants or hotels and want to quickly shop after work.
Japanese ingredients are sold at premium prices, and it’s hard to deny that they’re more expensive than in major cities. However, you can reliably find essential refrigerated items for Japanese cuisine, such as natto and tofu. While stock can vary, the peace of mind knowing you ‘can buy it there if you need to’ is immense during overseas life. With a bit of creativity, you can even enjoy mochi or instant hot pot using only a hotel or dorm’s microwave and kettle during Christmas or New Year’s season.
On the other hand, there are some typically ‘Kiwi’ strict aspects, such as being charged extra for chopsticks when purchasing instant noodles. So, it’s best to bring your own cutlery from home or stock up in advance.
New Star Asian Supermarket
📍 Address: 4/5 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Located within ‘The Landing’ shopping area in the Frankton district near the airport, this Asian supermarket boasts an overwhelming variety of products around Queenstown. You’ll find a wide array of Japanese foods and seasonings, as well as ingredients from Korea, China, and more.
The store is spacious, and while the selection is focused, they also carry practical fresh vegetables. Travelers are often surprised by how comprehensive the stock is, exclaiming, ‘I brought heavy suitcases full of food from Japan, but everything I needed was here!’ This means there’s no need to carry heavy items like kimchi jars or soy sauce. With ample parking available, it’s ideal for stress-free shopping by car.
However, as is common with overseas shopping, some reviews mention issues where the displayed promotion (discount) price differs from the actual price at the register. While this is a frequent occurrence in foreign supermarkets, making it a habit to thoroughly check your receipt after purchase is a smart defense strategy for mid to long-term stays.
Kims Asian Foods
📍 Address: Shop B02/03, Queenstown Central Shopping Centre, 19 Grant Road, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Also located in the Frankton district, within the ‘Queenstown Central Shopping Centre’, this Korean-oriented Asian mart is clean, plays K-Pop, and has a bright atmosphere. Its charm lies in a diverse selection that caters to specific needs, including Korean seaweed for babies, canned tuna, Spam, and quail eggs.
What you shouldn’t miss here is the ‘instant ramen cooking machine,’ familiar from Korean convenience stores. You can quickly prepare and eat piping hot ramen right there after purchase, making it a savior when you’re feeling a bit peckish (note that chopsticks might be sold separately).
Furthermore, this store is highly regarded by locals for its exceptional staff hospitality. They are happy to lend cardboard boxes and tape for sending parcels and are generally friendly and approachable, offering a comforting warmth amidst life in a foreign country. They also have a wide variety of kimbap (Korean seaweed rolls), making it a great option for takeout lunches.
QueensMart – Indian & International Groceries
📍 Address: 1B Gray Street, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
This Frankton grocery store specializes in Indian ingredients, spices, and international foods. If you’re looking not only for East Asian ingredients but also authentic curry spices or condiments from the Middle East and South Asia, this is your best option.
While some may find certain spices (like cardamom) to be expensive, considering they’re imported to a regional city in New Zealand, their availability alone is a blessing. The owner and counter staff are known for their friendly service, and they offer community-rooted services, such as flexibly assisting with topping up the ‘Bee Card’ – the essential public transport smart card for bus travel in Queenstown.
Although access was challenging at times due to nearby road construction, this local business has shown great resilience, continuing to post on social media and even offering delivery options, making it a place you really want to support.
PAK’nSAVE Queenstown
📍 Address: 302 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
This massive warehouse-style discount supermarket is touted as New Zealand’s cheapest. Marked by its yellow and black signage, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the ‘biggest ally’ for mid to long-term visitors and international students looking to manage their food expenses. You can find daily necessities, high-quality meats, fresh vegetables, and even classic souvenirs like Manuka honey and ‘COOKIE TIME’ treats, all at much lower prices than gift shops in town.
The vast interior, much like IKEA, offers an entertaining feel just by pushing a cart around. A hack you absolutely must remember here is the ‘fuel discount’. When you shop at PAK’nSAVE, your receipt will include a discount voucher (e.g., several cents off per liter) that can be used at on-site or affiliated petrol stations. In car-dependent New Zealand, this discount is not to be missed.
Locals consistently adopt a strategy of buying staple groceries like meat, vegetables, and daily necessities in bulk here on weekends, then supplementing any specific missing condiments at nearby Asian supermarkets.
Summary: ‘Smart Shopping’ is Key in Queenstown
While Queenstown is known for its high cost of living, venturing a little further to utilize the Frankton area can significantly reduce your grocery expenses.
Establish your basic needs at the huge ‘PAK’nSAVE’ supermarket, procure Japanese and Korean flavors at ‘New Star’ or ‘Kims’, and rush to ‘Asian Mart’ if something is suddenly needed downtown. Mastering this local shopping strategy will surely make your life in New Zealand richer and more secure. So, grab a large eco-bag and enjoy exploring the local supermarkets!
