Patrons wait in line for a table at Carette cafe in Paris. Photo: RNZ/ Jogai Bhatt
Analysis - New Zealand's cost of living crisis has been a hotly-debated topic in the lead up to the election - and it's easy to see why.
According to Stats NZ, the cost of living for the average household increased by 7.2 percent between June 2022 and June 2023.
A significant rise in food prices was the main contributor to inflated living costs.
The crux - eating out is expensive and cooking at home isn't much cheaper. But how do things fare abroad?
With the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals this weekend, Kiwis will be making the long journey to Paris and contributing a fair bit to France's economy.
We've done some cost comparisons of the two countries' largest cities to see whether your wallet will be lighter or heavier living in the city of love or the city of sails.
If you're watching the World Cup from Auckland, there's a good chance you'll be enjoying the games over a couple of pints at the pub.
Maybe you'll shout your mates a round and some food, maybe you'll engage in a cheeky bet, and maybe you'll take an Uber back and forth, because you're a responsible drinker.
With four pints priced at $11.10 each on average, Ubers rides within Auckland CBD costing $7 to $12, and two sets of fish and chips and burgers for $62 at Grey Lynn RSA, it will set you back $130 minimum. And that's without involving TAB.
Unfortunately, a similar night in Paris won't be much easier on the wallet. With beers at €7 to €9 ($NZ12-15 ) on average, Uber prices in the heart of the city at €12 to €17 ($NZ21-30) and the same pub meal as described above priced at €62.60 ($NZ110.80) at Brasserie O'Neil, you will be paying just over €115 or $NZ200 for the damage.
The verdict? Eat lightly and you might be okay. But New Zealand is still marginally more affordable for a night out.
On a calmer day between games, you might like to visit one of Paris' many cafes for freshly-baked French pastries and a hot drink.
Hot chocolate from Carette cafe in Paris. Photo: RNZ/ Tiffany Salmond
At Carette cafe, a 'chocolat Carette' is a spin on a traditional hot chocolate served with a mountain of deliciously fluffy cream.
The server brings over an empty mug and a vase-like bowl, and pours rich chocolate into your cup. Then it's up to you to spoon cream to create a luxurious hot chocolate to your liking.
This special treat will set you back €12, or a whopping $NZ21.25.
The cafe has become a popular tourist spot thanks to their Instagram worthy drinks. And with the novelty of the drink itself, inflated prices are to be expected.
We sought out an equally exciting hot chocolate delicacy in Auckland's CBD.
Hot chocolate from The Shelf in Auckland. Photo: Supplied/ Facebook
The Shelf's 'special hot chocolate' comes with frothy steamed milk, a shot of melted chocolate, and you can't forget the bar of Whittaker's to use as a stirrer. But even with this novelty factor, this fun creation will only set you back a reasonable $5.50.
Thankfully for Parisians, the daily supermarket run doesn't weigh quite as heavily on the pockets as a meal out, which isn't always the case in Auckland.
In a cost comparison of basic groceries between France supermarket Carrefour City and New Zealand supermarket Countdown, the staples were roughly the same, or cheaper, in Paris.
Countdown's website lists a standard 1L bottle of milk for $2.43. The same at Carrefour costs €1.31 or $NZ2.32.
A 700g loaf of Tip Top white bread was priced at $3.97, while the same in Paris cost €2.15. Roughly the same, but due to the sheer variety of bread on offer in France, fresh loaves and baguettes can often be purchased for under €1.
Cheeses at Carrefour City supermarket in Paris. Photo: RNZ/ Jogai Bhatt
The biggest price differences came in the form of eggs and cheese. A dozen free range eggs in Auckland will cost you $10.90. But the global egg shortage doesn't seem to have affected Paris - the same product costs only €2.95 ($NZ5.22). Virtually half the price.
Cheese is another disruptor back home, where prices seem to climb steadily.
At Countdown, a 1kg block is priced at $11.29. While supermarkets in Paris don't generally stock big blocks of cheese, 1kg pots of buffalo mozzarella and burrata can be found at Carrefour City for as low as €1.95 ($NZ3.45).
So if you're looking to save a little here and there, making use of your accommodation's kitchenette might actually help a little in Paris.
But like all things in life, there are pros and cons and it all depends on where you want to pick your battles.
