A whopping 65.3 percent rise for butter is causing pain at the checkout

Stats NZ says food prices rose 3.7 percent in the year to April, up from 3.5 percent to the month before.

Cheese went up 24 percent - and milk 15.1.

Butter is now three dollars more expensive than at this time last year.

Non-alcoholic beverages also contributed to rises - led by a 21.3 percent hike for instant coffee.