Research from Stats NZ found that beef prices fell 4.4% in February, while chicken prices fell 3.4% with the average price for the cheapest available chicken breast at NZ$12.83 a kilo, down from $13.94 the previous month.
This led to an overall fall of 0.5% in food prices in February.
Partly offsetting these decreases was a 2.5% increase in restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food.
However, year-on-year, meat, poultry and fish prices increased 0.3%.
Fruit and vegetable prices fell 0.9% in the month, with no overall change after seasonal adjustment, although vegetable prices also decreased 4.7% year-on-year, with lower prices for tomatoes, carrots and onions. Carrot prices were at their highest-ever level in February last year.