Moving to New Zealand is exciting — new opportunities, beautiful landscapes, and a fresh start. But one thing every Indian migrant misses at first?
👉 The taste of home.
From daily dal-chawal to chai-time snacks, having the right Indian groceries in your pantry makes settling in much easier.
To help you feel at home faster, we’ve created the ultimate Indian grocery checklist for new migrants in NZ — and you can find everything at IndoKiwi Grocers, your trusted Indian grocery store in Porirua.
🌾 1️⃣ Everyday Staples You Must Have
These are the foundation of most Indian meals:
✔️ Basmati Rice (Everyday & Premium)
✔️ Atta (Whole Wheat Flour)
✔️ Toor Dal / Moong Dal / Masoor Dal / Chana Dal
✔️ Cooking Oil (Mustard, Sunflower, Coconut)
✔️ Salt & Sugar
💡 These basics will help you cook simple comfort meals like dal-rice, rotis, and sabzi.
🌶️ 2️⃣ Essential Indian Spices
No Indian kitchen is complete without spices!
✔️ Turmeric (Haldi)
✔️ Red Chilli Powder
✔️ Coriander Powder
✔️ Garam Masala
✔️ Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
✔️ Mustard Seeds (Rai)
✔️ Hing (Asafoetida)
💡 Pro Tip: Start with small packs and build your spice collection gradually.
🥫 3️⃣ Ready-to-Cook & Quick Options
Life as a new migrant can be busy. Keep these handy:
✔️ Ready-to-cook curry mixes
✔️ Instant noodles (Maggi, etc.)
✔️ Frozen parathas
✔️ Frozen samosas
✔️ Instant poha & upma mixes
Perfect for late nights or quick dinners after work.
🥒 4️⃣ Comfort Add-Ons
These small items make a big difference:
✔️ Mango Pickle (Achar)
✔️ Papad
✔️ Chutneys
✔️ Tea (Masala Chai)
✔️ Rusk & Biscuits
Nothing feels more like home than chai with rusk.
🍬 5️⃣ Sweets & Snacks from Home
Cravings are real — especially during festivals.
✔️ Soan Papdi
✔️ Gulab Jamun mix
✔️ Haldiram snacks
✔️ Bhujia & Namkeen
✔️ Khakhra
Perfect for sharing with Kiwi friends too!
🧴 6️⃣ Personal & Household Essentials
Don’t forget:
✔️ Ayurvedic products
✔️ Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
✔️ Pooja items
✔️ Hair oils & traditional toiletries
These small comforts help maintain cultural traditions abroad.
🛒 Why Shop at IndoKiwi Grocers?
At IndoKiwi Grocers, we understand what new migrants need because we serve the Kiwi-Indian community every day.
✔️ Authentic Indian brands
✔️ Fresh lentils & rice
✔️ Frozen snacks & ready meals
✔️ Festival essentials
✔️ Friendly local service
📍 Visit us: 14 Cobham Court, Porirua
💻 Shop online: https://indokiwigrocery.store
✨ Bringing the taste of India closer to your Kiwi home.
📝 Final Tip for New Migrants
Start with the essentials and expand gradually. Within weeks, your pantry will feel just like home.
And remember — good food makes any place feel familiar ❤️