16th April 2026
Swedish home furnishing giant IKEA has released the 2026 Cooking and Eating Global Report, and for the first time since opening, New Zealanders have been included in the IKEA global study alongside 30 other countries.
From reducing food waste to choosing seasonal produce and growing food at home, this new IKEA report shows exactly where New Zealanders outperform global counterparts on sustainable food habits. Well above the global average, 69% of Kiwis say they consciously try to reduce food waste (vs 63% globally), are significantly more likely to use food storage to keep their food fresh for longer (47% vs 26%), and are world leaders in cooking with home-grown food (36% vs 21%).
Based on a survey of over 30,000 people in 31 countries, including 1,001 interviews across Aotearoa, the report offers fresh insights into how people cook and eat around the world, with New Zealanders demonstrating standout sustainability habits as part of their day-to-day. In addition to a mindful focus limiting food waste, Kiwis also plan and shop for food differently; 63% prioritise reusable shopping bags (global average: 55%), 44% take time to plan meals in advance (global average: 32%) and almost 1 in 2 do one big weekly shop, as opposed to multiple visits to the grocery store (global average: 33%).
Across many measures, Kiwis demonstrate stronger sustainability habits than the global average:
48% use energy-efficient appliances (global average: 38%)
47% buy seasonal produce (global average: 38%)
30% buy fewer packaged products (global average: 25%)
40% cook or prepare food for several meals at a time (global average: 32%)
62% cook from scratch (global average: 46%)
64% think throwing away food is a waste of money (global average: 56%)
“These insights show just how deeply sustainability is woven into everyday life in Aotearoa. The food sourcing, preparing, cooking and eating behaviours of New Zealanders reflect a strong national identity shaped by connection to the land, a desire to minimise waste, save money, and a practical, thoughtful approach to everyday living, values that align closely with our vision at IKEA.” says Edward Hincks, Home Furnishing and Retail Design Manager, IKEA New Zealand.
