It’s sold in nearly every Australian supermarket.
It’s part of childhood for many across the ditch.
And it’s proudly listed by Aussies as one of their “iconic” national flavours.
But in New Zealand, the response to this food is… noticeably colder.
Suspicion, confusion, and in many cases, flat-out disgust.
So what is this divisive item Australians love — and New Zealanders politely (or not-so-politely) refuse to touch?
A flavour Australians grow up on
The food in question is often spread on toast, eaten with cheese, added to crackers, and sometimes even stirred into stews.
It’s savoury, salty, rich, and unmistakably Aussie.
You’ve guessed it: Vegemite.
Ask most Australians and they’ll defend it with patriotic passion.
Some even bring jars of it abroad like sacred cargo.
It’s a part of their national identity — as familiar as thongs and “no worries.”
But cross the Tasman, and that pride turns into puzzled grimaces.
Not just “different taste buds”
New Zealanders aren’t strangers to savoury spreads.
Many grew up with Marmite — similar in appearance, but entirely different in taste.
While Vegemite is sharp, dry, and almost bitter, New Zealand Marmite is sweeter, milder, and spread thinner.
It’s made with a different yeast extract recipe and has a distinctive aftertaste that most New Zealanders are fiercely loyal to.
So when Australians offer Vegemite — often in a thick, unapologetic layer — it’s met with disbelief.
“I thought it had gone off,” one Aucklander said after her first taste.
“It’s like someone made Marmite but forgot how to cook.”
A clash of identity, not just flavour
The Marmite vs. Vegemite debate isn’t just culinary.
It taps into something deeper: a shared history, but a need for distinction.
Much like rugby rivalries, slang differences, or the pavlova argument, this is about more than what’s on the plate.
Refusing Vegemite becomes a quiet declaration: “We’re not just Australia’s sidekick. We have our own tastes, thanks.”
The 2012 shortage that made things worse
In 2012, a Christchurch earthquake-damaged factory caused a nationwide shortage of Marmite in New Zealand.
For months, shelves were empty. Marmite became black-market currency.
Australians, of course, offered their version.
New Zealanders declined — loudly.
That moment crystallised the difference. Vegemite was seen not just as an alternative, but as a threat to national flavour.
Could Vegemite ever win hearts?
Unlikely.
Taste tests repeatedly show a stark divide.
Even Kiwi chefs who work in Australia admit they “fake it” when cooking with it.
The only exceptions? Those who grew up with both — often in mixed households — and even then, loyalties are split.
It’s dark. It’s salty. It spreads controversy with every knife swipe.
And for most New Zealanders, Vegemite still tastes like Australia trying to sneak into their breakfast.
What a load of rubbish. I am a NZ born kiwi, with kiwi born parents. We grew up on Vegemite, not Marmite. Vegemite is still the preferred option for all my family and lots of others
I have been eating vegetated for years. I prefer it to marmite now . Please do not let it disappear from shelvies in NZ.
That waffle about NZers hating the taste is typical, journalistic propaganda.
.I am in my eighties now and I know many people that prefer vegemite .
Vegemite is the ‘only’ coverg we had on bread for breki & parties frm the ’50’s till now. Marmite for makg stews if u didn’t have spices etc. Never bought a jar – friends, family also Vege all the way.
Buy the big jars so my lil jar in fridge is always topt up
I was a vegenite kid from the 50s on w coast nz. Sandwiches n toast always vegemite.
Now I have kids, always vegemite n marmite in the pantry. But vegemite rules in my home. Long live vegemite. Like the pavlova!
It’s funny how there’s a lot of Vegemite on NZ supermarket shelves. Someone must like it. Piffle.
I’m from New Zealand and I would much prefer Vegemite over Marmite to me Vegemite is mild in comparison to Marmite and that is why I eat it hope you are around for a long time Vegemite 😁😄
This article implies that vegemite is universally disliked in New Zealand……the reality is that preference depends partially what we were brought up eating. My wife and I come from vegemite families and both find marmite too sweet for our taste. As do our children and grandchildren – who couldn’t care less whether it is was made in Australia or Mangetenoka.
Anyway, jumping to a conclusion on the basis of anecdote must have an enormous margin of error
We have eaten Vegemite since we were kids and that’s a long time ago! There’s never been Marmite in the house. Tried it a couple of times but don’t like it.