Choc lovers’ pledge: Goodbye Sadbury
Chocolate lovers have been left with a bitter taste after Cadbury’s newest flavours sparked a classic trans-Tasman rivalry.
The chocolate giant’s two new flavours, lamington and apple crumble, were first released in Australia early July.
They were labelled as ‘‘Australian Olympic Team Edition’’ blocks in the run-up to the Rio Olympics.
The same flavours have now been released in New Zealand labelled as the ‘‘Kiwi Legends Edition’’.
But Cadbury’s attempt to pull a fast one over the eyes of Kiwis has been called ‘‘super patronising and pandering’’ by customers.
Ben Dabwell complained on the company’s Facebook page.
‘‘I really want to like your new ‘Kiwi Legends’’ range but it’s super patronising and pandering considering we all know you already released it in Australia weeks ago... and then you have the nerve to repackage ‘Aussie Flavour’ leftovers and try flog them off to the NZ public, weeks later I might add. Not impressed. Goodbye, forever, Sadbury,’’ he ended.
His post drew in similar comments with one Kiwi living in Australia saying, ‘‘...is it an ‘Aussie flavours’ or ‘Kiwi legends’ it can’t be both!!!’’.
The company had initially told Kiwi consumers who requested the product that the flavours were exclusive to Australia.
However, within days Cadbury began confirming the limited edition blocks’ imminent arrival.
‘‘We can now confirm we will be bringing these delicious new flavours to New Zealand’’, Cadbury replied to a Facebook comment.
Cadbury refused to answer questions, but in a statement said the flavours were considered ‘local’ to both sides of the Tasman.
‘‘These dessert flavour inspirations are favourites of both countries and seen by each nation as ‘local’. . . just like the rivalry of the pavlova’’.
The company said it still supports New Zealand athletes – despite not dedicating chocolate bars in their honour.