Peer Jacob Maximilian Matzke, 19, says he was running out of money and good cheese is too expensive in New Zealand. (File photo)

A tourist who stole camembert, parmesan and havarti from a supermarket says good cheese in New Zealand is just too expensive.

Peer Jacob Maximilian Matzke​, 19, stole the cheeses from Pak 'n Save Blenheim on seven visits over a fortnight earlier this month.

He put the items in his jacket pockets and walked out without paying, a police summary said.

Matzke stole camembert, parmesan, havarti and probiotic cheeses, and stole blocks of chocolate on five occasions, once from New World Blenheim instead of Pak 'n Save.

He also took a packet of cinnamon and two packets of mixed herbs the day he was stopped by security, on June 18.

He was charged with seven counts of shoplifting which he admitted in court on Monday, to laughter from the public gallery.

Judge Bill Hastings asked if Matzke was a "chocoholic".

Matzke's lawyer Bryony Millar said her client just had "good taste in cheese".

"At the time he didn't have the money, that's why he choose to take luxury items instead of paying for them."

He was a German tourist in the country on a working visa, but would likely have to go home early following his convictions.

"He is very disappointed in himself," Millar said.

Matzke told Judge Hastings he had been "travelling a lot".

"I was short of money and good cheese is really expensive in New Zealand."

Judge Hastings held up his hands.

"I'm kind of speechless at both the repetitive nature of this and the condensed period of time in which it took place.

"I'm at a loss. To me this is just silly, it's really stupid behaviour."

Matzke would leave the country with seven convictions and would likely be unable to ever return, Judge Hastings said.

"Do you like it here? Me too, it's a nice place. I, too, am not from here, but I've adopted it as my own.

"To my mind, that is a huge potential punishment ... a conviction in itself will present a significant hurdle to you coming back into the country for the rest of your life."

Judge Hastings convicted Matzke and ordered he pay the supermarkets back $57.93 in reparation.