Households are still finding it tough to pay for the basics - with high prices not easing yet

Stats NZ's revealed the cost of food rose 4.6-percent - in the 12 months to June.

It's largely driven by double-digit increases for products like red meat, cheese and milk

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says the general economy is still experiencing intense price pressure and weakness - which isn't comforting.

He says mince is now hitting nearly 22 dollars a kilo - so you can't even have a cheap mince meal.