220 days ago

Poll: What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Butter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.

Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some members of our community (women, Māori, and Pacific people) are experiencing worsening financial positions at elevated rates.

Stats NZ tells us that food prices have jumped 4.6% since this time last year, with meat and dairy doing most of the damage. This jump is hitting us all, but groceries are just one part of the picture.

When basic costs keep climbing, the old cost-saving tricks — like bulk-buying or stockpiling on sale — don’t always work. Who can afford to spend more upfront when every dollar already has a job?

We want to know: What costs have caught you off guard the most? What are the expenses that feel impossible to juggle right now?
Share your thoughts below!

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What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?
  • 43.5% Grocery bills
    43.5% Complete
  • 33% Utilities
    33% Complete
  • 1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)
    1% Complete
  • 0.1% Education
    0.1% Complete
  • 7.6% Healthcare
    7.6% Complete
  • 1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)
    1.3% Complete
  • 7.9% Rent or mortgage
    7.9% Complete
  • 1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions
    1.5% Complete
  • 4.1% Other - share below!
    4.1% Complete
2582 votes
More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

🪱🐦 When are you the most productive? 🌙🦉

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Post has been diving into our daily habits, and research suggests being an early bird or a night owl isn’t just a choice—it’s biology! We all have that specific time when our brains finally "click" into gear.

This raises a big question for the modern workplace. To get the best out of everyone, should employers accommodate our natural body clocks? This idea is at the heart of the four-day work week and flexible scheduling movements.

We want to hear from you:
1. When does your brain "click" into gear?
2. Would a flexible (or shortened) schedule change the way you work?

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14 days ago

Poll: Is Auckland’s economy improving?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The latest reporting from The Post suggests a wave of optimism for 2026. With interest rates finally heading south, businesses are feeling more positive. But for many on the ground, the real-world recovery feels a bit like a slow-moving commute on Auckland's motorways.

We want to know: Are you seeing signs of Auckland's economy improving in your industry or neighbourhood? Whether it's busier shops, new projects kicking off, or just a shift in the mood ...

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Is Auckland’s economy improving?
  • 18.5% Yes
    18.5% Complete
  • 65.8% No
    65.8% Complete
  • 15.6% A little
    15.6% Complete
243 votes
1 day ago

🌉🛶 Early Birds Might Crack This One First… or Not? 🥚🧠

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

A person is crossing a bridge and sees a boat full of people, yet there isn't a single person on board.
How is this possible?

(Susan from Massey kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Susan!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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