Food prices have risen, due to higher fruit and vegetable prices.
Official figures show the food price index rose 0.3% in May compared with the previous year.
But Statistics New Zealand says prices are down 0.2% compared with the same month a year ago, the first decline annual decline in nearly two years.
Meat and grocery prices, notably fresh milk, fell, reflecting falls in global commodity prices.
Food prices make up 19% of the consumer price index.
