To examine changes in the food choices of New Zealand (NZ) adults, between the 1997 National Nutrition Survey (NNS97) and the 2008/09 NZ Adult Nutrition Survey (2008/09 NZANS).

The 2008/09 NZANS and the NNS97 were cross-sectional surveys of NZ adults (aged 15 years and over). Dietary intake data were collected using a computer-based 24 h diet recall. Logistic regression models were used to examine changes over time in the percentage reporting each food group, with survey year, sex and age group (19–30 years, 31–50 years, 51–70 years, ≥71 years) as the variables.

NZ households.

Adults aged 19 years and over (NNS97, n 4339; 2008/09 NZANS, n 3995).

In the 2008/09 NZANS compared with NNS97, males and females were less likely to report consuming bread, potatoes, beef, vegetables, breakfast cereal, milk, cheese, butter, pies, biscuits, cakes and puddings, and sugar/confectionery (all P<0·001). In contrast, there was an increase in the percentage reporting rice and rice dishes (P<0·001), and among females a reported increase in snacks and snack bars (e.g. crisps, extruded snacks, muesli bars; P=0·007) and pasta and pasta dishes (P=0·017). Although food choices were associated with sex and age group, there were few differential changes between the surveys by sex or age group.

For all age groups there was a shift in the percentage who reported consuming the traditional NZ foods, namely bread, beef, potatoes and vegetables, towards more rice and rice dishes. Declines in the consumption of butter, pies, biscuits, cakes and puddings are congruent with current dietary guidelines.