It's official - Aotearoa is obsessed with the hot cross bun.
New research out on Friday by Foodstuffs NZ has revealed hot cross buns are the winners in Kiwis' minds compared to chocolate eggs when it comes to treats for Te Aranga/Easter.
The co-operative behind Pak'nSave, New World, and Four Square supermarkets surveyed 1135 people from across the motu.
Fifty-six percent of respondents said they intended to have a hot cross bun these holidays, compared to 48 percent who preferred a choccie egg.
Chris Day from Foodstuffs NZ said the survey ensures the supermarkets can tailor their offerings better.
"Hot cross buns are a bit of an obsession in New Zealand and our research confirms just how popular they are," said Day.
"We also know that finding value is really important for Kiwis, so picking up a pack of hot cross buns at the supermarket can be an affordable treat for families."
Almost half (48 percent) of Kiwis planned to spend time with family, while nearly a quarter (17 percent) wanted to travel out of town for at least one night.
Sixty-five percent of us want to gather for dinner, and at least half want to make the occasion formal.
"Despite our dining habits becoming more casual, creating special moments with family at home on occasions like Easter might just be one of the few times a year that Kiwis plan to host a formal family gathering," Day said.
Those over 60 tend to prefer traditional buns with sultanas, versus modern flavours like caramel or choc chip.
Ninety-two percent intend to toast their hot cross buns, while 88 percent plan on lathering them with butter.
Just 31 percent want a hollow chocolate egg, followed by 27 percent keen for marshmallow-chocolate-coated eggs.
The Easter egg hunt is still going strong, as 21 percent of Kiwis plan to go on one.
