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The Government says the benefit numbers have long been forecast to get worse before they get better – and there were “positive signs” its approach to social welfare was working.
But Labour says New Zealand families are continuing to suffer – and the Government is making the wrong decisions… View moreThe Government says the benefit numbers have long been forecast to get worse before they get better – and there were “positive signs” its approach to social welfare was working.
But Labour says New Zealand families are continuing to suffer – and the Government is making the wrong decisions and mismanaging the economy.
There are two categories of Jobseeker benefits – “work ready” for those who can work now – and “health condition or disability” for those who can’t work right now for health reasons.
New data from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) shows that between September 2023 and September 2024, the number of people receiving the weekly Jobseeker Work Ready payment increased by around 12,300 people or 11.8%.
People receiving the “health condition or disability” payment increased by 11,000 people or 14.3% compared with September 2023.
However, more recent month-on-month data shows the tide is starting to turn, at least for Jobseeker Work Ready numbers, which decreased by about 300 people or 0.2% in September 2024 from the previous month. This was the first decrease since April 2024.
The number of people receiving the health condition or disability payment increased by about 2000 people or 2.3% in September compared with the previous month.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston described rising unemployment as a “lingering consequence” of years of high inflation, high government spending, and periods of economic recession.
“Jobseeker numbers have long been forecast to get worse before they get better, and we knew this when we set our target to reduce the number of people on Jobseeker Support by 50,000 over six years,” Upston said.
“We’re already seeing positive signs that this Government’s more proactive approach to supporting job seekers is working, with the latest monthly stats showing more than 2000 people cancelling their Jobseeker Benefit because they found work between July and September compared to the same period last year.”
The coalition Government has been focused on Jobseeker beneficiary numbers and has a goal for 50,000 fewer recipients in the next six years.
The Government has ramped up its threat of sanctions for Jobseeker beneficiaries not fulfilling their work obligations by introducing new requirements (such as attending a seminar within a fortnight of starting the payment) and a new beneficiary traffic light system.
At the time, advocate Brooke Pao Stanley, who runs Auckland Action Against Poverty, said such moves to increase sanctions would not help people get into work and would instead cause further stress to vulnerable people already living in stressful situations.
Labour’s social development spokeswoman, Carmel Sepuloni, said the Government’s actions were “taking us backwards”.
“It’s a tough time for New Zealanders. They have made the deliberate decision to lay off thousands of public servants and have cut government investment in infrastructure, like for Dunedin Hospital and school builds.
“Beneficiary numbers are skyrocketing even past Treasury’s predictions. Ministers have made the wrong choices and are mismanaging the economy at the expense of New Zealand families who are suffering from growing unemployment.”
Overall figures for main benefits – which include Jobseeker benefits as well as other payments like Sole Parent Support and the Supported Living Payment – increased by about 2500 (0.6%) month-on-month and by 29,100 (8%) year-on-year.
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www.nzherald.co.nz...
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There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
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Excellent quality art box and bubble wrap used for transporting fine art overseas. Large boxes perfect for clothes. Come n git 'em!
As we age, mobility and health issues can affect daily routines and independence. It’s natural to want to step in when a loved one faces challenges with tasks they once managed easily. However, instead of taking over completely, finding a balance that offers support while still encouraging … View moreAs we age, mobility and health issues can affect daily routines and independence. It’s natural to want to step in when a loved one faces challenges with tasks they once managed easily. However, instead of taking over completely, finding a balance that offers support while still encouraging independence is key.
Chris Sinclair, Ryman's Community Liaison Leader, shares helpful tips for families and caregivers on how to promote independence and support overall wellbeing.
Click read more for the full article.
This evening (Monday, 14th October) there will be high winds and NZTA have shared a message for those using the Harbour Bridge.
What you need to know:
- The wind watch is for between 8pm Monday 14 October and 9am Tuesday 15 October.
- At this time, the Harbour Bridge will be in 4 x 4 … View moreThis evening (Monday, 14th October) there will be high winds and NZTA have shared a message for those using the Harbour Bridge.
What you need to know:
- The wind watch is for between 8pm Monday 14 October and 9am Tuesday 15 October.
- At this time, the Harbour Bridge will be in 4 x 4 formation. This may remain for the Tuesday morning peak traffic.
- During this period be prepared for speed and lane restrictions.
- Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and look out for the electronic message boards and traffic management which will indicate lane closures and reduced speeds, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge.
- If gusts exceed the wind thresholds there is a possibility of a temporary full closure on the bridge.
- Drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18. We also recommend other motorists use the western ring route where possible.
NZTA will continue to work closely with Metservice to monitor conditions and ensure decisions are made based on up-to-date and accurate information on predicted and current wind speeds. You can keep up to date with traffic at the NZTA website.
This is the first story in a Consumer NZ investigation into New Zealand’s supermarket prices. In our second story, we’ll delve into the confusing and murky world of supermarket specials.
New Zealanders are still feeling the pain at the checkout. In Consumer’s latest Sentiment Tracker survey … View moreThis is the first story in a Consumer NZ investigation into New Zealand’s supermarket prices. In our second story, we’ll delve into the confusing and murky world of supermarket specials.
New Zealanders are still feeling the pain at the checkout. In Consumer’s latest Sentiment Tracker survey results, the cost of food and groceries was respondents’ most widespread concern for the coming 12 months.
In our supermarket investigation, we tracked online prices for a basket of 22 grocery items for 8 weeks at New World, Pak’nSave and Woolworths stores in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in our quest to find the cheapest supermarket. We also calculated the savings made by Woolworths’ and New World’s loyalty card members.
End dodgy 'specials' at the supermarkets
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We have been looking into loyalty pricing – we don’t think loyalty schemes always offer the most competitive price. If you see any examples of products with a big difference between member and non-member pricing please share it with us.
Consistently the cheapest
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Pak’nSave – with its claim of having “New Zealand’s lowest food prices” – was the cheapest store in our survey in all three regions.
On average, across all regions, our basket of goods from Pak’nSave was $116.18, nearly $14 a week cheaper than the average basket of the same items for New World Clubcard members (the second cheapest store in our survey). That’s a saving of more than $700 a year.
The savings were even greater when compared with the average cost for Woolworths loyalty members (savings of $15.87 per week/$825 per year).
New World customers who weren’t loyalty club members paid the highest price at the checkout in the stores we surveyed (an average of $138.35 across all regions). There was little savings benefit for Woolworths Everyday Rewards members – on average, swiping your card would have saved less than $1.60 each week.
We weren’t surprised that prices have significantly increased since our equivalent 2020 survey. A very similar basket of goods cost 30% or more in 2024 at all the supermarkets we surveyed again.
Increasing grocery prices
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It’s no surprise that food and grocery prices have taken a hike in the past few years – we’ve all been feeling the dent in our weekly supermarket budget.
According to the Grocery Commissioner’s 2024 First Annual Grocery Report, grocery food prices increased more than any other common household expense between 2019 and 2023. A Statistics New Zealand Household Economic Survey found that per week on average, households spent $214 on grocery food in 2023, up from $166 in 2019.
The Grocery Commissioner’s report also states that in 2022, New Zealand had the fourth highest grocery expenditure in the OECD – we’re spending more on groceries than people living in Australia and the UK.
In 2020, we tracked the prices of a very similar basket of goods in the same Auckland and Wellington supermarkets. The basket also contained 22 items – the only difference in the 2024 baskets was the brand of peanut butter and toilet paper.
While we expected prices to have increased, we were surprised by how much. In Auckland, Pak’nSave Mt Albert prices had increased by 33%, Woolworths Mt Eden by 37% and New World Mt Roskill by 37%.
It was a similar story in Wellington. We recorded price increases of 31% at Pak’nSave Lower Hutt, and 37% at both Woolworths and New World’s Lower Hutt stores.
Foodstuffs said: Two-thirds of the price on the shelf is our cost of buying products from suppliers – it’s 68 cents in every dollar. We’ve seen a higher rate of supplier cost increases which we’ve been absorbing where we can to ensure these don’t get passed on to New Zealanders at the checkout.
Beware the loyalty lure
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New World and Woolworths both offer a loyalty rewards programme. These programmes are big business. New World’s and Woolworths’ offerings each have 1.6 million members, and a Consumer NZ poll of 1,650 supporters found 84% belonged to a supermarket loyalty programme.
While loyalty cards offer benefits such as accumulated rewards and points, their main appeal is the discounted prices at the checkout. But we found that belonging to a loyalty programme doesn’t always reward you with the lowest prices.
Overall, in each region, Pak’nSave (which doesn’t require customers to be loyalty programme members to get a cheaper price) was the cheapest supermarket to shop at for our basket of goods. As well, some products marked as member or club deal specials at Woolworths and New World were cheaper at the no-frills retailer.
For example, at New World Lower Hutt, Clubcard members paid $2.99 for 4 weeks of our survey for Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid 500ml (its regular price was $3.89). However, over the same 4 weeks, the same product could have been purchased at Pak’nSave Lower Hutt for $2.79 or less.
On 17 July, Woolworths Everyday Rewards members could buy Chelsea White Sugar 1.5kg at its Mt Eden store for $3.80 (regular price $4.89). But on the same day all shoppers at Pak’nSave Mt Albert would pay the regular price of $3.79.
In March, we warned people to be wary of supermarket loyalty programmes and questioned the value of them.
Consumer’s head of research and advocacy Gemma Rasmussen said if you’re providing the supermarket with your personal data, purchase history and shopping habits, you should be getting a fair discount in return. Our latest survey shows this isn’t always the case.
Over the 8 weeks of our survey, Woolworths Everyday Rewards members saved on average less than $1.60 per week on our basket of goods. New World members fared better, particularly in the South Island. New World Bishopdale Clubcard members saved on average $11.72 on our basket of goods, compared with New World Mt Roskill and Lower Hutt members who saved approximately $6.50 on average per week.
The commissioner’s grocery report is also scathing of loyalty programmes. It states that despite their potential benefits, loyalty programmes can reduce price transparency and make it more difficult for consumers to make informed decisions. It also said its market study into the grocery sector found consumer understanding of the schemes was low, particularly about how rewards are earned and redeemed.
Another concern we have with loyalty programme discounts is whether non-member prices are inflated to create the illusion of a special for members.
Will we ever see cheaper supermarket prices?
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There are significant issues with the state of the supermarket sector in New Zealand. Consumer applauded the Grocery Commissioner’s first annual grocery report, which provides much needed transparency on the concerning state of the supermarket sector. However, it’s dismaying the sector has seen no meaningful improvement since the commissioner’s market study was released in 2022.
There’s a lot that needs to change – from fixing pricing inaccuracies to reducing the barriers for a new supermarket player. We anticipate these changes will be slow to happen and even slower to make a meaningful impact at the checkout, and the grocery commissioner has been quick to emphasise that himself.
We think the government needs to keep a closer eye on the grocery sector and be ready to take more intensive action if we don’t see improvement in the sector soon, especially considering the financial stress being experienced across Aotearoa.
In the interim, we’ll continue to advocate in this space, from calling out government when we think progress isn’t fast enough, to mystery shopping everything from unit pricing to dodgy pricing specials.
About our survey
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We tracked the online price of 22 products for 8 weeks. As well as food and drink, cleaning products were also on our shopping list. We didn’t include fresh meat or produce because for a fair comparison we’d need to consider quality. Wine and beer were also excluded.
In most cases, all items were the same brand and size in each supermarket (we didn’t track supermarket home brands). The exceptions were in New World and Pak’nSave Christchurch stores, where we substituted Anchor 2L Standard Milk for MeadowFresh 2L Standard Milk. Some weeks, Purex 12-roll toilet paper was not available, so we substituted for Purex 6-roll Mega-Long (which has more sheets per packet). Where multi-buys were offered and cheaper, we calculated a single item price.
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www.consumer.org.nz...
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It’s a lot of fun (and easy) to turn a terracotta plant pot and saucer into your very own toadstool table with Resene Poppy and Resene Alabaster paint.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
I need to remove the current complex bumper and put a simple ordinary second hand bumper for my car. Let me know with the price if you get one. Must be around Auckland contact 0272671637
Is there a makeup artist available at short notice in the area please? It's for three ladies for a band video shoot this Friday Oct 11th, in the late afternoon. Nothing too fancy - just the basics. Preferably someone who can travel to us in Blockhouse Bay. Cheers
I'm looking to hire a skip bin for general waste. Any recommendations on good service, cheaper options? Cheers
Hi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day … View moreHi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free quotes over the phone
We will beat any prices in the market by 10%.
Support your local business.
Give us a call on ** 0800 50 00 01 ** and we will be happy to have a chat.
Where---Auckland Harbour Bridge
When----Sunday 13 October 2024
8pm-11.55pm
Cost---Free
Contact----vectorlights@vector.co.nz
… View moreWhere---Auckland Harbour Bridge
When----Sunday 13 October 2024
8pm-11.55pm
Cost---Free
Contact----vectorlights@vector.co.nz
WEBSITE/LINKS
vector.co.nz...
instagram.com...
Free Community Educational Kids / Family Waitematā & Gulf Ward
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Vector Lights is lighting up for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the advanced stage of breast cancer.
Sweet Louise is the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to supporting Kiwis with this type of breast cancer and is encouraging people to come together and raise funds over morning tea – Sweet October!
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ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
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