Unbeerable: Auckland vs Christchurch

Houses are cheaper outside of Auckland and so too it seems are the beers.

A survey by the Herald today found that thirsty punters can expect to pay as much as $15 for a tap beer in New Zealand's biggest city.

For those wanting to enjoy a pint or two at a more affordable price, it may pay to visit other regions. The most popular beer at several bars in Rotorua is a Mac's Gold - a cool $7.80 a pint.

In the South Island, prices were also significantly lower. A pint of Speight's costs $8.70 at Speight's Ale House and $8 at The Embankment in Phillipstown, Christchurch.

At Baretta in central Christchurch a pint of Peroni will cost you $10 and at No.4 Merivale, a Heineken pint was $11.

According to Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin, there are no rules or caps on what restaurants or bars could charge for a drink.

"A lot of things come into play in pricing: how much is the rent on the building that the beer is being sold from, whether they have all the same deals with suppliers, what rates they pay their staff, what place they are providing for people to drink the beer - it's not just a simple matter of saying the beer is the same, so should be the same price."