Food prices are on the up, with restaurants driving the rise

Stats NZ data shows food prices increased 0.6 percent in the year to July with groceries, non-alcoholic beverages, restaurant meals and ready to eat foods all seeing increases.

Meat, poultry and fish all saw price decreases, fruit and vegetables saw the biggest fall.

Smokers and drinkers face a 10.1 percent and 3.7 percent increase respectively.

Meanwhile, the removal of the Auckland regional fuel tax has made its mark with petrol prices falling 0.5 percent from June to July.