The New McDonald's Menu Has Landed: Double Big Macs, Mini Egg McFlurries and a Side of Backlash

Let's be real—there are two types of people in this country come March: those who welcome the longer evenings with a quiet nod, and those who greet the return of the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry with the kind of unrestrained excitement usually reserved for an All Blacks try. If you're in the latter camp (no judgement here), you'll want to pay attention. The new McDonald's menu drops next week, and it's a genuine mixed bag of nostalgia, spice, and—because it's 2026—a fair bit of controversy.

What's Actually New on the Menu?

From March 17, McDonald's is rolling out its Easter-inspired lineup across New Zealand, and for once, the “new” tag actually means something. The headliner? A brand-new Cadbury Mini Eggs Frappe. It's a chocolate frappe base blended with ice and finely crushed Mini Eggs, topped with cream and more of that crunchy shell dust. Here's the catch, though: for the first week, it's app-only. From March 24, you can walk in and order it like a normal human, but if you want to get in early, the early access is via the app.

Of course, the McFlurry fans haven't been forgotten. The Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry is back—because it wouldn't be Easter without one—and it's joined by a Cadbury Mini Eggs McFlurry. This one swaps the gooey fondant for the satisfying crunch of Mini Eggs, all swirled with that chocolatey sauce.

Spicy Returns and a Beefy Classic

If your tastes lean more savoury, the Spicy McNuggets are making their long-awaited comeback. They vanished for a bit, and the internet—bless its heart—kicked off accordingly. Now they're back in 6, 9, or the 20-piece Sharebox, which is basically the official snack of anyone who “doesn't want to share”.

And then there's the Double Big Mac. This absolute unit features four beef patties—yes, four—stacked with the usual lettuce, cheese, pickles, and that iconic sauce. It's not brand new, but it's back by popular demand, and at $13.90, it's positioning itself as the proper “I've had a week” treat.

• Cadbury Mini Eggs Frappe – $7.50 (app exclusive until March 24)
• Cadbury Mini Eggs McFlurry – $5.90
• Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry – $5.90
• 6 Spicy McNuggets – $7.90
• Double Big Mac – $13.90

The Elephant in the Room: That Hash Brown Price

Now, let's address the grumbling you've probably seen on your timeline. McDonald's can drop all the fancy new menu items it likes, but what people are actually talking about—what they're properly furious about—is the price of a hash brown. Photos have been doing the rounds on social media showing a single hash brown priced at $4.50 in some locations.

“$4.50 for one solitary hash brown. We are officially done,” one punter posted, and the thousands of likes suggest he wasn't alone in his outrage. Let's put that in perspective: not so long ago, you could grab one for around $2. Even the usual going rate of $3.50 felt like a stretch, but nudging four and a half? That's not inflation; that's taking the mickey. McDonald's blames it on franchisees setting their own prices, stressing it only affects a small number of branches. But once that genie's out of the bottle, the damage to the brand's “cheap eat” reputation is done.

Finding McValue in 2026

This is the tightrope McDonald's is walking right now. On one hand, they're launching fun, limited-time stuff to keep things interesting. On the other, they're battling the perception that the golden arches aren't the bargain they used to be. New items creep up in price, which has people raising their eyebrows.

And it's not just the food. From March 17—the same day the new menu launches—the MyMcDonald's Rewards scheme is changing. You'll now need more points to grab a Big Mac or McSpicy. Regulars have called the move “almost worthless,” which feels like the kind of feedback that keeps marketing managers up at night.

The Bigger Picture: Can McDonald's Hold the High Street?

Look, I've been watching this industry long enough to know that menu changes are always a gamble. But the stakes feel higher this year. They're caught in a pincer movement: local bakeries and cafes are undercutting them on breakfast, and cooler fast-food joints are stealing the younger crowd. So when you see the Double Big Mac return or the Spicy McNuggets make another appearance, it's not just about Easter. It's about giving people a reason to walk through that door instead of popping into the local dairy or trying that new fried chicken spot.

The Final Verdict

So, is the new McDonald's menu worth the hype? If you've been craving a Mini Eggs McFlurry since last year, absolutely. If you want to go all out with a Double Big Mac, go for it. But the conversation around the new menu isn't just about what's on it anymore—it's about what it costs. When a hash brown hits nearly five bucks, and the loyalty scheme feels less loyal, the “value” part of the equation gets shaky.

McDonald's has always been the reliable spot—the one you can count on for a consistent, cheap feed. Right now, they're betting that novelty and nostalgia (hello, Creme Egg) will keep us sweet while they figure out the pricing puzzle. For their sake, they'd better hope we're lovin' it. Because at these prices, we might start looking elsewhere.