Ironically it is not generally understood in New Zealand that it has a unique food culture. It is commonly assumed in New Zealand that it shares with or has inherited from most other English speaking countries and there is nothing peculiarly New Zealand in its food culture. If pushed the average New Zealander would look to Kiwiana (chocolate fish, buzz bars, Lemon & Paeroa, pavlova) as examples of typical New Zealand food. However, it is possible to identify some long standing cultural preferences in New Zealand food.

Ingredients have a defining part to play in any cuisine. New Zealand has in abundance the following ingredients: butter, milk, cheese, beef, lamb, hogget, chicken, shellfish, seafood, farmed salmon, potatoes, New Zealand yam (oca), kumara, vegetables, cereal, honey.

Ingredients that are less common or more exotic: veal, game, fresh-water fish, wild mushrooms, rice.