Rising vegetable prices pushed the cost of food higher last month.
Photo: RNZ
Official figures show prices rose 0.4 percent in June, compared with the previous month.
Seasonally higher prices for cucumbers, capsicums and lettuce, more than offset cheaper mandarins, dairy products, lamb and chicken.
On an annual basis, food prices decreased 0.5 percent, influenced by lower grocery prices.
The price of 1kg of cheddar cheese fell to its lowest level since September 2007, while fresh milk and yoghurt were also cheaper.
Food prices make up about a fifth of the consumer price index, which comes out next Monday.