Charities Brace for Surge in Demand
Charities are bracing for a surge in demand ahead of winter and growing fears that legislative changes may lead to rent hikes.
The Trusts has pledged more than $1 million to charities and community groups this year despite facing an uncertain trading environment itself.
The social enterprise, funded by hospitality and retail operations, said it was adapting its model after the pandemic had changed the face of need in New Zealand.
The Trusts chief executive officer Allan Pollard said Christmas, the start of the school year and winter were the three most difficult times of the year for families managing their budgets.
"For many Kiwi families, the arrival of winter signals a new round of financial pressure that they are often ill-equipped to bear," he said.
"The cost of new clothing, bedding and just staying warm over winter will see many families having to make choices that may risk compromising their health- whether it is through changing their nutritional intake or even sacrificing a visit to the doctor.
“At the same time, the spectre of potential rents increase as a result of changes in the macro-environment creates uncertainty and stress.
“Sadly it is some of the most vulnerable in our community that live continuously on the threshold of financial hardship - struggling from week to week,” Pollard said.
The Your West Support Fund would offer funding of up to $20,000 for each community cause that meets their criteria, he said.
The first round of funding kicks off in July with a second round planned for about February next year.
“In addition to helping local charities continue their work at the coal face, we recognise that there are other segments of the community that could benefit from additional financial support. "
The Trusts will also open expressions of interest for major grants later in the year, he said.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.3% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.6% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Rock'in with Elvis by Mike Cole
The Memories of Elvis Fan Club invite you to our 1st Elvis Social for 2026. We are excited to have our own Mike Cole back at the Te Atatu RSA on Saturday 28th February at 7.30pm. Cost only $20pp. Tickets are on sale at the RSA or reserve through Jackie 0274901126. So lets see you with your dancing shoes on and that great smile as we start off 2026 with a bang.
Even Australians get it - so why not Kiwis???
“Ten years ago, if a heatwave as intense as last week’s record-breaker had hit the east coast, Australia’s power supply may well have buckled. But this time, the system largely operated as we needed, despite some outages.
On Australia’s main grid last quarter, renewables and energy storage contributed more than 50% of supplied electricity for the first time, while wholesale power prices were more than 40% lower than a year earlier.
[…] shifting demand from gas and coal for power and petrol for cars is likely to deliver significantly lower energy bills for households.
Last quarter, wind generation was up almost 30%, grid solar 15% and grid-scale batteries almost tripled their output. Gas generation fell 27% to its lowest level for a quarter century, while coal fell 4.6% to its lowest quarterly level ever.
Gas has long been the most expensive way to produce power. Gas peaking plants tend to fire up only when supply struggles to meet demand and power prices soar. Less demand for gas has flowed through to lower wholesale prices.”
Full article: www.theguardian.com...
If even Australians see the benefit of solar - then why is NZ actively boycotting solar uptake? The increased line rental for electricity was done to make solar less competitive and prevent cost per kWh to rise even more than it did - and electricity costs are expected to rise even more. Especially as National favours gas - which is the most expensive form of generating electricity. Which in turn will accelerate Climate Change, as if New Zealand didn’t have enough problems with droughts, floods, slips, etc. already.
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