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7 tips for shopping online
The convenience of shopping from the couch is undeniable. But it’s not without risks. Scam sites, tough return policies and packages that vanish all challenge the online shopper.
So, before you click ‘add to cart’, check out our tips for having a good online shopping experience.
1. Know who… View moreThe convenience of shopping from the couch is undeniable. But it’s not without risks. Scam sites, tough return policies and packages that vanish all challenge the online shopper.
So, before you click ‘add to cart’, check out our tips for having a good online shopping experience.
1. Know who you’re really shopping with
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Don’t assume a ‘.co.nz’ website is a New Zealand company. Having a .co.nz domain name can be a way for overseas sellers to win your trust.
If you’re lucky, that might just mean having to wait longer than you thought to get your package. But it can also mean it’s expensive to return an item or that you have to deal with an overseas seller if things go wrong. Having the name of a New Zealand city in the name of a store also doesn’t mean it’s really based here.
Look at the ‘contact’ and ‘about’ pages of websites to try and determine whether you’re really dealing with a New Zealand business.
You can also:
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search the Companies Register to check if the trader is New Zealand registered.
check who has registered a domain name using the Domain Name Commission’s website.
2. Ignore the sales hype
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Be sceptical of pressure tactics when shopping online. Claims like ‘limited stock’ and countdown timers are intentional sales strategies designed to get you to buy and not think too much.
Also beware of special deals on social media. They might use phrases like “1-day flash sale” to get you to act quickly but clicking these links can take you to scam websites. If a deal seems too good to be true it almost certainly is.
3. Be sceptical of reviews
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Fake reviews are everywhere. Often there will be tell-tale signs that a review is fake, like repetitive language and stock phrases that could apply to anything.
Look for independent sources of information, such as our website. We've reviewed thousands of products - this page with all our top tests is a great place to get started.
4. Pay by card
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We recommend using a debit or credit card to shop online – that way, you can apply for a chargeback (where your bank reverses the payment) if the correct goods don’t show up.
Remember to take a screenshot of your completed order or save the order confirmation email, in case something goes wrong. Keep an eye on your bank statements. Contact your bank immediately if you spot anything unusual, such as two transactions for one item.
5. Use price comparison websites
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Make sure a better price isn’t available just around the corner by consulting the price tracking graphs on price comparison websites.
We like to use Priceme and PriceSpy. The graphs show you the prices that stores have been charging for an item – so you can tell if you’re really getting a good deal.
Also check if the store you’re thinking of buying from has a price guarantee, which is when they’ll match or beat the price of another store. You can use theses online with most big box retailers. If you’re buying at full-price, check if they have a price promise so you can get some money refunded if it goes on sale soon.
6. Cover your tracks
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Regularly clear your cache and browsing data to reduce the chances of traders offering you prices based on your online activity.
Double check prices using another device (such as your desktop computer against your iPhone) or a different browser.
7. Check return policies before you buy
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Anticipate what will happen if your item arrives and isn’t to your liking. Will you be able to return it? Will you have to pay courier costs?
See if the policy says where you’ll have to return the item, so you can decide if the risk of paying the return cost is worth it.
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7 Silent Blood Clot Symptoms to Watch Out For
What is a blood clot?
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Blood clots normally form after an injury to protect your body from losing too much blood, but they can also develop in an artery or vein even if there is no obvious injury. Complications can occur if it doesn't dissolve naturally or if you don't … View moreWhat is a blood clot?
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Blood clots normally form after an injury to protect your body from losing too much blood, but they can also develop in an artery or vein even if there is no obvious injury. Complications can occur if it doesn't dissolve naturally or if you don't get treatment. The signs and symptoms of a blood clot differ depending on where it is—in the heart, brain, arm, leg, lung, or abdomen. Some of these symptoms are common in other health issues, so always consult with your doctor, and keep in mind that it's not uncommon for clots to cause no symptoms at all. That being said, it's important to know the silent signs and symptoms of blood clots to watch out for.
Leg cramps
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People who have experienced a blood clot in the leg say they've felt cramps or pain similar to a charley horse. A blood clot that forms in a major vein, often in the lower limbs, is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it can cause leg aches, pain, and cramping. The clots can develop slowly or appear suddenly, specifically after a prolonged time in a sitting or cramped position, like on a long-distance flight.
"Ignoring a blood clot in the leg for even a day can end up in a pulmonary embolism, which is much more dangerous," according to Kristine Arthur, MD, an internist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. A pulmonary embolism can occur if a portion of the clot in the legs breaks off and travels to the lungs. About 1 in 3 people with DVT will have a pulmonary embolism, which is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.
Back pain
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Back pain might not seem like one of the likely blood clot symptoms, but it can be an indication that a blood clot is present in the pelvic area or in the inferior vena cava, which is the major abdominal vein. According to the American College of Cardiology, 2.6 to 4% of people with DVT have inferior vena cava thrombosis. Although blood clot-related back pain seems to be one of the more rare symptoms, these types of clots can result in permanent damage if not treated, as they cut off blood to the extremities. If you experience this along with other blood clot symptoms, contact your doctor.
Discolored skin
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A blood clot disrupts normal blood flow, and it can result in discolored skin. If an area of one leg appears to be red or has a different color in any way, a blood clot is one possible cause. This symptom should be checked by your doctor, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Skin is warm to the touch
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Another common blood clot symptom is a variation in temperature where the clot is suspected. Much like the discoloration, this is caused by a disruption of blood flow. If this temperature variation continues and you have a history of increased risk of blood clots, call your doctor. Usually, these three symptoms appear together: Warm skin, leg cramps, and discolored skin.
Swelling
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Swelling in the arm, hand, foot, ankle, or leg is one of the most common signs of a blood clot, according to the CDC. Blood clots are only one of the reasons why a body part may suddenly feel swollen.
Excessive sweating
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When paired with other symptoms, excessive sweating can be one of the blood clot symptoms you shouldn't ignore, located in either the lung or heart. These are very serious types of blood clots that should be treated immediately as a medical emergency.
Shortness of breath
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A pulmonary embolism, when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the lung, can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Another lesser-known symptom of a blood clot in the lungs is back pain. In some cases, people with a pulmonary embolism may have a drop in blood pressure and pass out, or they may even cough up blood.
These symptoms are a medical emergency, but any clot symptoms should be taken seriously and investigated by your doctor. In addition to prolonged sitting, other risk factors for DVT and clot formation are injuries, including fractures and major surgery; chronic conditions, like heart and lung disease; confinement to a bed; pregnancy; and hormone use, such as birth control pills.
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💪👷♀️🏢🧑🏭 Who inspires you to do your best?
Labour Day celebrates the fight for fair working hours and better conditions for everyone. Did you know Aotearoa New Zealand was among the first countries to stand up for the eight-hour working day?
As we take a moment to recognise the hard work happening around us, we want to hear from you: Who… View moreLabour Day celebrates the fight for fair working hours and better conditions for everyone. Did you know Aotearoa New Zealand was among the first countries to stand up for the eight-hour working day?
As we take a moment to recognise the hard work happening around us, we want to hear from you: Who inspires you to give your best? Your family, community leaders, coworkers, or someone else?
Park Lane Jewellery X3 Pieces
BRAND NEW Parklane Jewellery.
3 pieces of beautiful jewellery. Brand new and never worn.
Please note: Not real gold!
All pieces are Hypoallergenic, Lead and Nickel Free.
… View moreBRAND NEW Parklane Jewellery.
3 pieces of beautiful jewellery. Brand new and never worn.
Please note: Not real gold!
All pieces are Hypoallergenic, Lead and Nickel Free.
Details:
Lifestyle Bracelet - Cute lattice bracelet that flexes to fit most wrists.
Retails: $48
Selling: $40
Roo Necklace - Circle of crystals and measures 15”+3”
Retails: $36
Selling: $30
Craze Barrel Necklace - Gold barrel shaped pendant with a micro pave setting and clear crystals. Measures 15”+3”
Retails: $36
Selling: $30
Buy all 3 pieces for $100 or can sell separately.
Each piece comes with a drawstring gift bag.
Perfect for Christmas gift.
Pick up is from Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Craft Your Feathered Friends with Pinecones and Favourite Resene Colours!
These kākāpō, rainbow lorikeet and ruru birds are a hoot for the kids to make using pinecones and their favourite Resene colours. Find out how to make and paint your own feathered friends with these easy step by step instructions.
🐾🎃 Is your pet ready to strut their spooky stuff?
It is time for the Neighbourly Spooktober Pet Costume Competition ... where ghosts, goblins, and golden retrievers unite!
Post a photo* of your furry, feathered, or scaly friends dressed in their Halloween best in the comments, and be in to win a $200 Prezzy Card 🏆
*Unleash your … View moreIt is time for the Neighbourly Spooktober Pet Costume Competition ... where ghosts, goblins, and golden retrievers unite!
Post a photo* of your furry, feathered, or scaly friends dressed in their Halloween best in the comments, and be in to win a $200 Prezzy Card 🏆
*Unleash your imagination before the 30th of October to be in to win!
Warrant to arrest: Norman Talo
Police are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of Norman Talo, 50, who has a warrant for his arrest.
Police believe someone may have information on his whereabouts. Talo is thought to be in the wider Auckland area.
Anyone with information is urged not to approach him … View morePolice are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of Norman Talo, 50, who has a warrant for his arrest.
Police believe someone may have information on his whereabouts. Talo is thought to be in the wider Auckland area.
Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead to call 111 immediately and quote file number 241018/9095.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Protecting the Tūpuna Maunga: Fire Safety Closures Return for 2025
Aucklanders, a friendly reminder that all 14 Tūpuna Maunga will be closed in the evenings during Guy Fawkes to help prevent fireworks-related fires. 🔥🚫
Recent fires have caused serious damage to these sacred sites — including Te Pane o Mataoho / Māngere Mountain last year. Even one spark… View moreAucklanders, a friendly reminder that all 14 Tūpuna Maunga will be closed in the evenings during Guy Fawkes to help prevent fireworks-related fires. 🔥🚫
Recent fires have caused serious damage to these sacred sites — including Te Pane o Mataoho / Māngere Mountain last year. Even one spark can harm the cultural and natural beauty of our maunga.
Let’s protect these special places together.
Expect to be chased for even small tax debt, IRD says
Inland Revenue says even people with relatively small tax debt can expect to get a phone call about it.
The tax department is cracking down on overdue tax as it tries to pull in an estimated $10 billion in tax debt.
It said it had started calling customers with overdue GST and employer tax, even … View moreInland Revenue says even people with relatively small tax debt can expect to get a phone call about it.
The tax department is cracking down on overdue tax as it tries to pull in an estimated $10 billion in tax debt.
It said it had started calling customers with overdue GST and employer tax, even if they were at relatively small amounts, because it wanted to stop the debt getting larger.
Since 9 October, it has been calling people with debt of at least $1000, that is between six months and five years old.
It said it would tell customers what they owed and point out the penalties and interest that could be charged.
People who owed more than $10,000 would get a warning about the potential legal consequences.
Customer segment leader Tony Morris told RNZ's Checkpoint that IRD was ratcheting up the pressure on people who owed tax, after a period of taking a gentler approach.
People who did not respond to the call could be visited.
If none of those options worked, the department could take money fro bank accounts or start insolvency proceedings.
Since mid-June Inland Revenue has sent out 16,500 notices about planned bank deductions - 25 percent more than for the whole of last year.
Between mid-June and September 30, 8181 deductions were completed with $17 million of debt recovered.
While some accountants told RNZ that the heavier-handed tactics were hard for businesses that were struggling in tough economic times, Morris said there was also support for the increased collection efforts.
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Tired mattress? Here’s a little secret!
Hey neighbours!
If your bed’s feeling a bit tired lately, don’t rush to replace it — a mattress topper might be all you need! It adds instant comfort, extra support, and can even help you sleep cooler.
Whether your mattress feels too firm or you just want a cozier night’s rest, the … View moreHey neighbours!
If your bed’s feeling a bit tired lately, don’t rush to replace it — a mattress topper might be all you need! It adds instant comfort, extra support, and can even help you sleep cooler.
Whether your mattress feels too firm or you just want a cozier night’s rest, the right topper can make all the difference.
Pop into your local Beds4U — we’ll help you find the perfect one for your bed (and your best sleep yet)!
Want to learn more? Check out our quick guide here: beds4u.co.nz...
Sandringham Street Festival 2025
Sandringham’s Street Festival is back in early November this year and it's going to be a huge!
We invite anyone from around Auckland to come and experience a free-wheeling taste of famous Sandringham! Try new foods, check out the amazing flavours coming from our shops, and enjoy different … View moreSandringham’s Street Festival is back in early November this year and it's going to be a huge!
We invite anyone from around Auckland to come and experience a free-wheeling taste of famous Sandringham! Try new foods, check out the amazing flavours coming from our shops, and enjoy different cultures and music in the Reserve and side streets.
There’ll be food trucks, new food from around the world (& some old favourites!), retail and trading stalls, amusement rides, and competitions. In the morning we'll have schools, community groups and bands performing on stage in the Sandringham Reserve, then the Pipi Pickers, Hoop and the Elementary Penguins are there to keep you entertained in the afternoon!
Buskers, competitions, community groups, plenty of fun and games for kids, and heaps of delicious food and drinks for everyone!
Thanks heaps to the Albert-Eden Local Board for the funding to help make this event happen each year!
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Where---Sandringham Village and Reserve, 598 Sandringham Road, Sandringham, Auckland
The Festival is based in Sandringham Village and Reserve including the closing of of Kitchener Road, Calgary Road and Lambeth Streets where they intersect with Sandringham Road.
When----Saturday 1 November 2025----9am-3pm
Cost----Free
Contact-----Mark Scherer-----sandringhamba@gmail.com---027 457 7577
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ACC stops payments to record numbers of long-term clients
A record number of long-term ACC clients have had their payments stopped, because ACC has decided they are work-ready or no longer injured.
However, many said they can’t work and believed they were being dumped as a way for ACC to save money.
In the year to June nearly 8000 clients were removed… View moreA record number of long-term ACC clients have had their payments stopped, because ACC has decided they are work-ready or no longer injured.
However, many said they can’t work and believed they were being dumped as a way for ACC to save money.
In the year to June nearly 8000 clients were removed from the long-term claims pool – a 20% lift on the previous year.
ACC said these people were ready to work, or were no longer injured, with chief executive Megan Main describing it as an “important achievement” in the annual report.
However, ACC advocate Warren Forster told RNZ’s Nine to Noon many clients – most of whom have chronic and enduring injuries – were not work-ready, and those seeking reviews of their cases are having to wait months.
“If ACC had somehow tripled the effectiveness of their rehabilitation in the last 10 years I’d be the first person celebrating.
“If we had evidence of real rehabilitation, of actually people being supported to get back to work, then I’d be taking my hat off to ACC, saying ‘incredible’. We don’t have any evidence of that.”
ACC Minister Scott Simpson had previously asked ACC, via his Letter of Expectations, to focus on long-term claimants and said the numbers were a “huge result”.
“Often ACC staff deal with clients who have long-standing and challenging personal situations, and I rely on ACC staff to use their judgment given each client’s individual circumstances.”
‘Feel like they’re throwing us on the trash heap’
One of those people recently deemed work-ready was Jonathan Simcock.
He received a letter from ACC last Monday advising him he was work-ready and his payments would cease in 28 days.
This is despite the most recent medical advice provided to ACC advising he was not work-ready, and strongly advised against discharging him from his long-term claim.
He lived with chronic pain, anxiety and depression after a bike accident left him contending with a brachial plexus injury that has mostly paralysed his dominant arm.
Simcock said the correspondence from ACC was “totally out of the blue”.
“It was based on some of the internal guidance and I’d been working on a back-to-work programme, working with ACC to try and get work capability for me and capacity to see wherever that would end up.
“We were working towards this and then literally, from another internal guidance, totally went against any of the other information I was working on and believed that we were working together to get back into some sort of work and to see where that would progress to.”
His last medical assessment suggested he could work three hours a day, up to 10 hours a week.
“Then on the 20th of this month [October] ACC wrote another internal guidance without having any more medical advice or any more investigation, and then from that, they said you’ve been identified to be able to work in two roles over a 30-hour week full time.”
Simcock said it would be “impossible” to work 30 hours a week with his condition.
He said the pain he suffered impacted his sleep and quality of life.
“I would become more anxious, more stressed, lose sleep, wouldn’t be able to do anything around home, I’d only be able to do some work, and then I’d have to have days off being sick.
“It would be horrendous.”
He said it felt like ACC would find any means necessary to get long-term claimants off the books.
“It just feels like they’re stacking it up, and they’re just putting their people in to get the answer they want, and the answer they want is they want all long-term people off ACC because we don’t fit into the nice model.
“I have a serious injury that affects my disability, that affects my life every single day. It’s an incredibly complex and difficult situation. ACC is meant to help me, and basically they’re just throwing us, all of us, onto the trash heap.”
After inquiries from Nine to Noon, ACC agreed to reassess Simcock’s case, and reinstated his payments in the meantime.
Forster said the “exit strategies” used by ACC were systemic, and it was about more than one person.
“You’ve just heard an example of an individual case where that assessment was the person couldn’t go back to work, but ACC still cut them off, and that’s happening across the board at scale.”
ACC responds
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ACC client recovery acting head Matthew Goodger confirmed they were reassessing Simcock’s case.
“I’m sorry to hear about Jonathan’s situation and the distress this is causing him.
“We are taking another look at his case. While we do, he will continue to receive weekly compensation.
“His case manager has been in touch with him to let him know. We will continue to work with his GP and his other providers and fund any rehabilitation or treatment he needs for his covered injuries.”
Goodger said ACC’s role was to support people to recover from their injuries so they could return to work and independence.
“In mid-2024 we changed the way we managed some long-term claims to ensure these clients were getting the dedicated, interdisciplinary support they needed to get back to independence, including the establishment of new teams of one-to-one case managers.
“This focus is reflected in an increased number of long-term claims being closed as clients were successfully supported to recover from their injuries so they could return to their pre-injury role or other work types, or in some cases identifying that covered injuries had resolved.”
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Shoes for sale
Two shoes, both in great quality. $15 for each. $25 for both. Size - UK 4. Pick up from Mt Albert
Cost of living increases: Who is being hit hardest now?
Beneficiaries and people on NZ Super are experiencing faster increases in the cost of living, while the biggest spenders are getting some relief, new data shows.
Stats NZ has released data for the September quarter, which shows the average New Zealand household experienced a cost-of-living … View moreBeneficiaries and people on NZ Super are experiencing faster increases in the cost of living, while the biggest spenders are getting some relief, new data shows.
Stats NZ has released data for the September quarter, which shows the average New Zealand household experienced a cost-of-living increase of 2.4 percent over the previous 12 months.
That is less than the 3 percent rate of inflation, because it includes a 15.4 percent drop in mortgage interest payments.
Mortgage interest payments were the main contributor to highest-spending households recording the lowest annual inflation, Stats NZ said.
Their annual inflation rate was 0.8 percent, compared with 3.9 percent for superannuitants, who are less likely to be paying mortgage interest. Beneficiaries had costs increasing 3.4 percent and the lowest-spending households had an increase in costs of 4 percent.
Rents increased 2.6 percent over the year to September. Rent makes up 29.5 percent of beneficiary household expenditure. This compares with 13.1 percent for the average household, and 5.1 percent for highest-spending households.
Council of Trade Unions policy director Craig Renney, a former adviser to then-Finance Minister Grant Robertson, said it had historically been the case that people on the lowest incomes had the highest rates of cost-of-living increases.
That had changed after Covid when home loan rates increased sharply but now the situation had reversed. He said it was likely that the impact would continue to be felt in this way.
Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) policy director and economist Craig Renney.Craig Renney. Photo: Stuff / ROBERT KITCHIN
"Much of the challenges are in administered costs, rates, electricity, going to see the GP, which are rising faster than general inflation."
But Satish Ranchhod, a senior economist at Westpac, said it was important to note that some of the lower-income people who were experiencing higher rates of inflation would be young people in the earlier stages of their careers, who had not yet reached a point where they could buy a house.
"It's misleading to say they're getting hit, they're just at a different place in the lifecycle."
But he said times were still tough for many households, including many lower-income earners.
He said people who had mortgages had experienced large increases in recent years and a much bigger squeeze on their incomes.
The relief they were experiencing was likely to continue as the impact of falling interest rates filtered through to more people, he said.
Other significant increases were an 11.3 percent increase in electricity on average and an 8.8 percent increase in rates.
How are cost increases felt?
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Inflation experienced in the 12 months to the September 2025 quarter:
all households 2.4 percent
beneficiaries 3.4 percent
Māori 2.4 percent
superannuitants 3.9 percent
highest-expenditure household group 0.8 percent
lowest-expenditure household group 4 percent.
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