Finding the Best Weekly Specials at NZ Supermarkets
Weekly specials are one of the most powerful tools available to NZ grocery shoppers. The three major supermarkets run rotating promotional programmes that can slash the price of common items by 30–60%. Knowing when specials refresh, how to find them, and how to plan around them can save a NZ household hundreds of dollars a year.
When Do NZ Supermarket Specials Refresh?
All three major NZ supermarket chains typically refresh their weekly specials on Wednesday. This is a good day to check prices before planning your weekly shop. The specials usually run for 7 days until the following Tuesday night.
Some stores also run mid-week or monthly specials that may start on different days. Promotional periods around public holidays and events (like Easter, Christmas and Back to School) can bring particularly deep discounts.
How to Find Specials at Each Supermarket
Woolworths Everyday Rewards
The Woolworths app shows all current specials, plus personalised "Boost" offers based on your shopping history. Boost offers are often much deeper discounts (50–60% off) on products you regularly buy. Well worth activating before each shop.
How to access: Woolworths NZ website or app under "Specials". Must have an Everyday Rewards account for personalised offers.
Pak'nSave
Pak'nSave's specials are listed on their website weekly. While Pak'nSave's everyday prices are already among the lowest, their specials can bring prices down further on name-brand products. The Pak'nSave app also shows fuel discounts.
How to access: paknsave.co.nz or the Pak'nSave app under "Specials".
New World Clubcard
New World runs two types of specials: standard shelf specials and Clubcard-exclusive prices. The Clubcard prices are often significantly lower and are only available with your Clubcard scanned at checkout. Always carry your Clubcard (or have the app).
How to access: newworld.co.nz or the New World app. Clubcard registration is free.
Using Basket NZ to Find the Best Deals
Basket NZ's Today's Best Deals page shows the products currently on special at your nearest Woolworths, Pak'nSave and New World, ranked by discount depth. This gives you a quick way to see what's on sale across all three stores without visiting each supermarket's website separately.
You can also filter by store to see just Woolworths specials, just Pak'nSave specials, or just New World specials — useful when you're planning to shop at one specific store.
How to Plan Your Shop Around Specials
- Check Basket NZ's Deals page on Wednesday morning to see what's just gone on special.
- Build your meal plan around what's discounted — if chicken is on special, plan chicken-based dinners. If pasta sauce is half price, buy several jars.
- Stock up on non-perishables when they hit a low price — long-life milk, tinned goods, cleaning products and cereals are all good candidates.
- Save products you buy regularly as Favourites on Basket NZ — you'll get a weekly summary of when those specific products go on special at your local stores.
- Don't be fooled by "was" prices — some products have inflated "was" prices to make discounts look bigger than they are. Use the unit price to verify you're actually getting good value.
The Best Categories for Specials Shopping
Some categories tend to have better and more frequent specials than others:
- Packaged meat and seafood — specials can be 30–50% off
- Dairy — cheese, yoghurt and premium butter often go on special
- Snacks and confectionery — frequently discounted, especially on name brands
- Beer, wine and cider — regular 2-for-1 and case-price promotions
- Health and body products — name brands rotate through specials regularly
- Frozen meals and convenience food — often heavily discounted in rotating promotions