I lived in NZ for 4 years, it's definitely more expensive I've just moved to Melbourne and the difference in cost of shopping/ whiteware / beds etc and groceries is remarkable, NZ don't pay as much as Australia I guess population etc but there's a real monopoly in NZ. Do that example a washing machine in NZ I paid 1500 at staff price here in Melbourne you get it for $500 and. I only bought it a year ago. So very frustrating. I personally don't think it's overly expensive here, it can be if you chose it to be like anywhere on the world.