Mount Albert, Auckland

Premium Business

5 days ago

Suellen's Sweet Christmas Tradition

The festive season is the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth and to bring something truly special to the Christmas table. For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche !

An impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with delicate spun sugar, this classic dessert is a … View moreThe festive season is the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth and to bring something truly special to the Christmas table. For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche !

An impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with delicate spun sugar, this classic dessert is a favourite at weddings across France and Italy and a much-loved Christmas tradition at home.

Click read more for the full recipe.

6 days ago

Auckland Transport----Free weekend travel for kids Making family outings easier

Brian from Mount Roskill

Did you know kids aged 5 to 15 can ride buses, trains, and ferries for FREE every weekend and public holiday with an AT HOP card?
But wait, there’s more! Load a child concession onto your child’s MyAT account and unlock 40% off weekday travel too. Managing their HOP card is super easy: create … View moreDid you know kids aged 5 to 15 can ride buses, trains, and ferries for FREE every weekend and public holiday with an AT HOP card?
But wait, there’s more! Load a child concession onto your child’s MyAT account and unlock 40% off weekday travel too. Managing their HOP card is super easy: create an AT HOP profile under your MyAT account, enter their birthday, and you’re good to go.
So, grab those HOP cards, tag on, and start exploring, because family adventures shouldn’t come with a price tag!
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Great news for Auckland’s tertiary students!
From 14 December, tertiary students will enjoy even bigger savings! The tertiary discount is increasing from 20% to 40% off AT HOP adult fares on buses, trains, and most ferries.
If you already have a tertiary concession loaded on your AT HOP card, there’s nothing you need to do, the increased discount will be applied automatically.
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Summer Rail Upgrades
27 December 2025 to 28 January 2026
We’re upgrading your rail network this summer as we get closer to more trains, more often, when City Rail Link opens up in 2026.
27 December – 18 January: Full rail network closure.
9 – 26 January: Partial rail network closure.
27 – 28 January: Full network closure for City Rail Link testing.
Rail replacement buses will be available throughout the summer rail upgrades to keep you moving.
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IKEA Sylvia Park – What to Expect Now That It’s Open
If you’re planning a visit to IKEA Sylvia Park, consider taking public transport.
Train: Eastern Line - it's about 19 minutes from Waitematā to Sylvia Park.
Bus: Six routes serve the area. Five stop directly at Sylvia Park shopping centre, and another stops on Carbine Road, close to IKEA.
For bulky purchases, home delivery is available to help reduce congestion and parking queues.
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Enjoy the festive season without the fuss.
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6 days ago

Jetstar Christmas sale launches with 45,000 cheap fares from $48

Brian from Mount Roskill

Jetstar has launched a Christmas sale with 45,000 discounted domestic and international fares across 13 routes.
The airline’s Christmas sale began just after midnight, with one-way domestic fares available from as low as $48 and international fares from $142.
Travel dates vary per route but … View moreJetstar has launched a Christmas sale with 45,000 discounted domestic and international fares across 13 routes.
The airline’s Christmas sale began just after midnight, with one-way domestic fares available from as low as $48 and international fares from $142.
Travel dates vary per route but include early March to early September for domestic and early February to late August for international.
Jetstar’s head of New Zealand, Shelley Musk, said the airline was prepared for a record summer of flying in New Zealand.
“We’re gearing up for our busiest Christmas and New Year peak ever, with almost 700,000 customers expected to fly to and from New Zealand over December and January,” she said.
Air New Zealand estimated 1.6 million passengers will be travelling domestically around New Zealand this summer season.
“Queenstown will see 260,000 customers travel to and from the region while Nelson is gearing up for 150,000 customers, and Dunedin 110,000,” Air New Zealand general manager airports Kate Boyer said.
Boyer said the busiest day for domestic travel is Friday, December 19 with up to 32,000 travellers expected to fly, followed by Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23, with up to 31,000 customers taking to the skies each day.
This year, Jetstar launched five new domestic and transtasman routes, including Hamilton to Sydney and Christchurch to Cairns, while Hamilton to Christchurch and Brisbane to Queenstown flights will commence next year.
Jetstar’s domestic routes on sale
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● Auckland to Wellington from $48
● Christchurch to Wellington from $52
● Christchurch to Hamilton from $53
● Wellington to Queenstown from $53
● Auckland to Christchurch from $59
● Auckland to Dunedin from $72
● Auckland to Queenstown from $72
Jetstar’s international routes on sale
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● Hamilton to Sydney from $142
● Auckland to Sunshine Coast from $162
● Hamilton to Gold Coast from $169
● Dunedin to Gold Coast from $179
● Auckland to Rarotonga from $189
● Christchurch to Cairns from $199
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15 days ago

Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.

Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔

Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

73.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!

73.7% Complete
15.4% Hmm, maybe?

15.4% Complete
10.9% Yes!

10.9% Complete

1390 votes

8 days ago

The latest product recalls

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

8 days ago

TNVZ names Tova O’Brien as new Breakfast co-host

Brian from Mount Roskill

O’Brien replaces Jenny-May Clarkson who left the morning news show last month, and joins Chris Chang as host beginning in 2026.
TVNZ executive editor - news and current affairs Phil O’Sullivan said O’Brien brought a wealth of broadcast experience across television and radio.
“She’s … View moreO’Brien replaces Jenny-May Clarkson who left the morning news show last month, and joins Chris Chang as host beginning in 2026.
TVNZ executive editor - news and current affairs Phil O’Sullivan said O’Brien brought a wealth of broadcast experience across television and radio.
“She’s delivered numerous high-profile interviews with global figures and provided live, breaking news coverage from across Aotearoa and further afield. She’s sharp, energetic and trusted.
“Best of all, she understands morning audiences inside out.”
Broadcaster O’Brien is currently Stuff’s chief political correspondent and previously worked for Newshub and the now-defunct Today FM. Today FM ceased broadcasting on March 30, 2023, after O’Brien interrupted the mid-morning Duncan Garner Today on air to announce the station’s closure, saying “They have f....d us.”
O’Brien is one of many presenter changes announced in recent months by TVNZ. Melissa Stokes was revealed as the new 1News at Six presenter, with Simon Dallow stepping down.
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10 days ago

Wayne Brown backed by billionaires and developers in $611k campaign haul

Brian from Mount Roskill

Celebrities, billionaire Graeme Hart and a who’s who of property developers each gave up to $50,000 to fund Wayne Brown’s mayoral re-election campaign.
Electoral returns made public today show Brown was flush with about $606,000 in campaign funds, while his only serious competitor, Whau … View moreCelebrities, billionaire Graeme Hart and a who’s who of property developers each gave up to $50,000 to fund Wayne Brown’s mayoral re-election campaign.
Electoral returns made public today show Brown was flush with about $606,000 in campaign funds, while his only serious competitor, Whau councillor Kerrin Leoni, received just $16,076 in four donations over the $1500 declaration limit.
She relied heavily on donations of less than $1500 to raise $83,111.83 to run her campaign, while Brown spent $323,872, with nearly $280,00 left over from his wealthy donors.
Leoni, a low-profile first-term councillor, stood little chance against the high-profile Brown, who romped home for a second term by a margin of 100,000 votes.
Among the donors who gave $5000 to Brown were former All Black and Waiheke resident Marc Ellis, and Black Knights Football, which refers to Auckland FC, of which former All Black Ali Williams and his wife Anna Mowbray are minority co-owners.
Williams attended Brown’s election-night party at the West End Tennis Club at Coxs Bay, a short walk from the $24 million coastal home he shares with Mowbray.
Through his Rank Group company, Hart, who is worth an estimated $12.1 billion, gave $50,000 to Brown’s campaign. Property investment firm Tramco Group, whose directors own big landholdings on the Auckland waterfront, also chipped in with $50,000.
Other donors included Precinct Properties ($10,000), engineering firm BECA ($5000), Park Hyatt Hotel ($18,400), Hancocks Wine ($8000), Golf Warehouse ($20,000), Bayleys Real Estate ($10,000) and Hopper Developments ($5000).
Leoni, who was the Labour councillor for Whau but stood as an independent in the mayoral race, received donations from former Auckland Mayor and Labour leader Phil Goff ($1500), former Labour minister Judith Tizard ($5000) and longtime Labour operative Greg Presland ($7576).
She said Brown had the advantage of building relationships during his first term to raise donations, but she was proud of obtaining 20% of the vote by raising and spending $83,000.
The greater handicap during the election campaign was the lack of mainstream media coverage, with live television debates largely watched by older people, who formed the largest group of voters, she said.
The election resulted in the lowest super city turnout of under 30%.
Leoni, a mother of twins who has degrees in politics and economics, Māori development and social services, said she was having a break from the council to refocus and would decide on what to do next in the New Year.
Brown, who has said he will not seek a third term, declined to say what would happen to the nearly $280,000 left over from his campaign, saying he does not comment on other people’s donations, except to say they were a sign of the level of support for what candidates stood for.
Auckland Council electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said there were no rules governing how candidates used leftover campaign funds, though many choose to keep them for future campaigns.
Candidates could do what they liked with the money, he said.
Three years ago, Brown raised $310,000 in donations and had to dig into his own pocket to top up the $470,00 cost of his campaign.
Donations of $10,000 or more to Wayne Brown
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Tramco Group - $50,000
Rank Group - $50,000
CP Group - Aphi Funds manager - $25,000
Peninsula Capital $25,000
Knight Investments Ltd - D Nakhle - $20,000
Hugh Green Ltd - $20,000
Stonewood Group - $20,000
Golf Warehouse - $20,000
Aedifice Development - $20,000
AHL Park Hyatt Hotel - $18,400
Clifftop Services - PC Cooper - $15,000
Mr MJ Todd - $15,000
Gilligan Rowe & Associates - $11,000
Liu Vincent - $10,000
Southside Group - Chris Jones - $10,000
Van Den Brink - $10,000
Williams Corporation - M. Horncastle - $10,000
Precinct Properties - $10,000
Oyster Capital - $10,000
Bayleys Real Estate - $10,000
N McKenna - $10,000
Donations of $1500 or more to Kerrin Leoni
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Greg Presland - $7576
Judith Tizard - $5000
Te Ata Thompson - $2000
Phil Goff - $1500
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9 days ago

Which region in New Zealand is the most generous?

Brian from Mount Roskill

The most generous region in New Zealand for Givealittle donations has been revealed in a new report, which shows Kiwis gave $31.6 million to fundraisers this financial year.
The report has also highlighted some of the worthy causes that received money this year, including a woman who needed money … View moreThe most generous region in New Zealand for Givealittle donations has been revealed in a new report, which shows Kiwis gave $31.6 million to fundraisers this financial year.
The report has also highlighted some of the worthy causes that received money this year, including a woman who needed money for overseas cancer treatment, the Relief Aid Gaza Appeal, and a mayoral relief fund for flood-hit Wairoa.
While Auckland took out the top spot for the amount of money given, with $14.2m, the 2025 Generosity Report showed Gisborne and Northland gave the highest amounts per donation compared with the rest of the country.
Gisborne locals were the most generous, giving $108 on average per donation. Northland was the only other region to crack three figures, with residents donating an average of $100 each time.
“We are highly sympathetic to the challenges many Kiwi households have been dealing with this year, which has also been a hard one for charities, many other organisations, and whole industries,” Givealittle chief executive Lythan Chapman said.
The stories and statistics shared in the report captured a picture of “nationwide giving to nearly every conceivable cause”, she said.
“They are a reminder to us all that the generosity of New Zealanders is unflagging, and when people call for help they will be heard.”
The report showed Kiwis had a soft spot for giving to health-related causes, with 42% of donations going to such fundraisers, totalling $13.2m.
The most-supported page on Givealittle in the year ending June was for Wānaka woman Emma Holden, who needed funds to travel to Shanghai for cutting-edge treatment for her multiple myeloma blood cancer.
Her page raised more than $417,000 for the treatment in a short space of time, showing “how quickly New Zealanders rally when a life is on the line”, the report said.
Kiwis also gave generously to ReliefAid’s Gaza appeal, with more than $191,000 donated and up to $60,000 of donations matched. The support allowed the New Zealand-founded group to provide drinking water to about 60,000 people each month.
Seven of ReliefAid’s nine team members in northern Gaza were killed, while the surviving staff in the south continued their work despite losing homes and loved ones, the report said.
“The generosity and humanity of New Zealanders provided life-saving support for families who had nowhere else to turn,” said ReliefAid founder Mike Seawright.
A popular community-focused cause was the Wairoa mayoral relief fund, started after the town was hit by severe flooding in June 2024.
More than $282,000 was raised across 2152 donations, providing immediate relief for food, shelter and essential supplies.
“This campaign demonstrates how generosity responds not just to individuals, but to entire communities in crisis. It shows the power of collective giving to help towns rebuild after disaster and the Wairoa community has been overwhelmed with the support and kindness they received,” the report said.
Other causes highlighted in the report included the Papakōwhai School’s annual Readathon, which raised $26,000 in one month to bolster funds for teaching assistants and librarians, and the “Power the Brigade” campaign started by Hillmac Electrical to support Havelock Volunteer Fire Brigade, raising more than $10,000.
How Kiwis gave in the 2025 financial year
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$31.6m – total giving via the platform.
365,882 donations made.
$13.2m – the amount given to health-related causes, 42% of all giving.
$3.6m – given to community causes, 11% of all giving.
$14.2m – the amount given by donors in Auckland, the most of any region.
$108 – the average amount given by donors in Gisborne, the highest average in the country. Northland was the other region where average giving topped $100.
$86 – the national donation average.
$50 – the most common donation amount.
49 donations over $10,000
Board chairwoman Charlottle Lockhart said in the report generosity was not “a number on a page”.
“It is a hand offered when someone stumbles, a neighbour dropping off a meal, a community choosing to stand alongside one of its own. At its heart, generosity is about connection, it binds us together in ways that policy and systems cannot,” she said.
Living with a terminal cancer diagnosis herself, Lockhart said she understood “how fragile life is, and how much difference support can make”.
“These are not just statistics – they are lifelines.”
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Your Christmas shopping just got easier

Mags4Gifts

Mags4gifts.co.nz is having a Christmas sale with up to 40% off best-selling magazine subscriptions, including NZ Gardener, NZ House & Garden and TV Guide. Add a free e-card at checkout and schedule it to arrive on Christmas morning for a perfectly timed surprise! Make Christmas thoughtful this … View moreMags4gifts.co.nz is having a Christmas sale with up to 40% off best-selling magazine subscriptions, including NZ Gardener, NZ House & Garden and TV Guide. Add a free e-card at checkout and schedule it to arrive on Christmas morning for a perfectly timed surprise! Make Christmas thoughtful this year with a gift that lasts long after the holidays are over. Shop Now

Premium Business

9 days ago

Don’t Let Your Mattress Turn Into a Moving Monster!

Beds4U - Avondale

Hey neighbours,

Moving house? Don’t wrestle with your mattress like it’s a wild animal! Big, awkward, and easy to damage, it needs a little strategy - and maybe a friend or two.

Top tips to move like a pro:

1. Measure & clear your path - no doorway dramas.
2. Grab a buddy - … View moreHey neighbours,

Moving house? Don’t wrestle with your mattress like it’s a wild animal! Big, awkward, and easy to damage, it needs a little strategy - and maybe a friend or two.

Top tips to move like a pro:

1. Measure & clear your path - no doorway dramas.
2. Grab a buddy - teamwork makes it a breeze.
3. Lift smart - bend your knees, not your back!
4. Wrap it up - blankets, plastic, or cardboard protect it along the way.

Want all the expert hacks? Check out: beds4u.co.nz...

P.S. If it’s time for a new mattress, our Boxing Day sale is the perfect excuse to upgrade your sleep while you move!

Find your nearest store: beds4u.co.nz...
See our current deals: beds4u.co.nz...

Happy moving, neighbours! Here’s to a smooth move and many nights of comfy sleep in your new home.

10 days ago

7 tips to help save money this Christmas

Brian from Mount Roskill

1. Regift the things you’ve never used
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We all get given things we’ve never wanted, can’t use, and don’t need.
Instead of putting them in the bin, see if you can find a new home for them.
Right now, I have a jar of home-made pickles I know I won’t eat and… View more1. Regift the things you’ve never used
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We all get given things we’ve never wanted, can’t use, and don’t need.
Instead of putting them in the bin, see if you can find a new home for them.
Right now, I have a jar of home-made pickles I know I won’t eat and a book about rugby I won’t read. But I also know my dad will love them.
Likewise, my daughter got a coffee mug for her birthday. She’s 12 and hates coffee – but it’s the perfect gift for her uncle.
This suggestion gives new life to items that might otherwise end up in landfill – and it saves you money too.
But don’t perpetuate the junk. You’ll need to think carefully about whether that item really suits the person you’re regifting it to.
2. Organise a secret Santa
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An office and school favourite, this is an easy way to make sure everyone gets a gift, but no one blows their budget.
Our family set the limits at $20. We use one of the free online tools to help randomise the selections. (a good one is drawnames.co.nz).
For Consumer NZ’s Christmas party, even stricter rules are in place: the limit is $0, and the item has to be second-hand or home-made.
3. Get crafty and make stuff
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This is time consuming, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and you’ll still need to buy the raw materials to make it work.
But, a commercial Christmas card with a lame joke on the front can cost around $7.99. That’s when you realise it can be much cheaper and more satisfying to make your own. All you need is a piece of card and some coloured markers.
Other things you might be able to consider making include:
Christmas crackers
candles
soap
chocolates.
Baking, jams or preserves can also be nifty ways to make cheap, personalised gifts.
Plus, they can be far more tasty for the receiver than another pair of socks.
4. Buy second-hand
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Everyone loves a bargain, and buying second-hand has become far more accepted in our age of fast fashion and over consumption.
Facebook Marketplace and Trade Me remain great sources of second-hand goods, especially if you’re after books, records, toys or clothing.
Remember, scammers can operate on those sites, so learn about staying safe online from our article How our scam expert stays safe using online marketplaces.
5. Save on the Christmas dinner
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Perhaps the most stressful part of Christmas is putting together dinner for the entire family.
Planning and shopping in advance can help you take advantage of specials. And you won’t need to rely on getting everything in the final week, when prices could be higher.
Grocery comparison apps like Grosave, Grocer or Price Pulse can help you compare prices across different supermarkets.
Meal-kit services like My Food Bag and Hello Fresh say they will help you take the pain out of Christmas dinner. However, it’s almost certainly cheaper to source your own ingredients and cook the food yourself. Discover what we found when we tracked the supermarket prices of Christmas treats.
And here are our tips on how to prepare a stress-free Christmas dinner.
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6. Start saving for next Christmas
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If your bank balance is a little lean heading into Christmas, think about opening a savings account for next Christmas. Setting up a small weekly automatic payment into the account can help take the pressure off next year.
Or you could consider joining a supermarket Christmas club. It’s basically the same thing but can offer decent rewards and bonuses closer to Christmas.
7. Be cautious about taking on debt
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Given the current cost-of-living pressures, you may feel you have to go into debt to get through.
However, there are steps you can take so Christmas debt doesn’t blight your New Year.
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10 days ago

QUIZ!!

Dan from Point Chevalier

ANNOUNCEMENT !!
it's the last Nomad Quiz for '25!!
Prizes! Fun! Grear Pizza! Cool Staff'..and a kinda funny MC (Me)....from 7pm.....bookings essential
Get in touch with Nomad Point Chevalier to secure your spot.... 09 815 9595

10 days ago

Minimum wage to increase from April next year, Govt commits to bigger rise than last year

Brian from Mount Roskill

The Government will increase the minimum wage by 2% from April next year.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden announced the hourly wage would move from the current $23.50 to $23.95 in line with advice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“Moderate” increases … View moreThe Government will increase the minimum wage by 2% from April next year.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden announced the hourly wage would move from the current $23.50 to $23.95 in line with advice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“Moderate” increases of the minimum wage formed part of NZ First’s coalition agreement with National.
Van Velden says the new rate, which would impact around 122,500 New Zealand workers, strikes a right balance between keeping up with the cost of living – the Reserve Bank expects inflation to fall to around 2% by mid-2026 – and no adding more pressure to the costs of running a business.
The starting out and training minimum wage would be move to $19.16 to remain at 80% of the adult minimum wage.
The minimum wage was last increased on April 1 this year. That 1.5% increased to $23.50, affecting between 80,000 and 145,000 workers, was not at the time in line with inflation which sat around 2.5% in March.
“I know those pressures have made it a tough time to do business, which is why we have taken this balanced approach. With responsible economic management, recovery and relief is coming,” Van Velden said.
“I am pleased to deliver this moderate increase to the minimum wage that reflects this Government’s commitment to growing the economy, boosting incomes and supporting Kiwis in jobs throughout New Zealand.”
Official documents from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) show the department provided the Minister with seven options for the minimum wage, ranging from maintaining the current rate or increasing by 3% up to $24.20 per hour.
A 2% increase was recommended, the Ministry said, as this was ”considered to best balance the two limbs of the objective - protecting the real income of low-paid workers and minimising job losses."
“CPI inflation forecasts suggest annual inflation will ease to be within the 2–2.5% range in the first half of 2026 and remain relatively stable at around 2% from June 2026 through to 2028.
“These forecasts indicate that a 2% increase would largely maintain the real income of minimum wage workers relative to the level of the minimum wage when it last increased on 1 April 2025.”
Officials said a 2% increase wouldn’t have significant employment restraint effects.
But given recent economic data, including a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contraction and elevated unemployment, MBIE said it favoured a “cautious approach”.
“A 2% increase to the adult minimum wage is expected to affect approximately 122,500 workers, including those currently earning at or below the minimum wage, or between the current rate and $23.95.”
The key groups that would be impacted include youth, part-time, female, and Māori workers, as well as sectors like tourism, horticulture, agriculture, cleaning, hospitality, and retail.
“While these workers would benefit from a wage increase, they may also be more exposed to employer responses to increased labour costs such as reduced hours or adjustments to non-wage benefits,” the ministry said
“The estimated fiscal cost to government from this increase is relatively modest, at $17.5 million annually, consistent with the small cost estimates across all rate options.”
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11 days ago

How to make Christmas dinner for four people for less than $100

Brian from Mount Roskill

Christmas dinner is supposed to be joyful, celebratory – yet seems to have quietly become one of the season’s more stressful undertakings. Even households that keep things modest can feel the pinch when supermarket prices creep up and festive expectations stay high. Yet it’s entirely possible… View moreChristmas dinner is supposed to be joyful, celebratory – yet seems to have quietly become one of the season’s more stressful undertakings. Even households that keep things modest can feel the pinch when supermarket prices creep up and festive expectations stay high. Yet it’s entirely possible to serve a generous, properly festive meal for four for under $100, without resorting to packet gravy, instant stuffing or anything that tastes like compromise.
This is a menu that feels like Christmas, looks abundant and uses ordinary supermarket ingredients treated well. It slots comfortably under $100 across Pak’nSave, Woolworths and New World, and includes easy swaps for fussy households, clever ways to use what you already have, and simple ideas for making the table look special without spending extra.
A chic seafood starter
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Seafood is an elegant way to open a meal and, when you choose cleverly, one of the most cost-effective.
Mussels in white wine, garlic and cream are a standout. At around $5-$7 a kilo, they offer enormous impact for very little money. Steam them with garlic, a splash of the wine you’re already serving and a touch of cream, then finish with lemon and herbs. Tip them into a large serving bowl and let everyone help themselves. It feels summery, generous and unmistakably festive.
If mussels aren’t universally adored in your household, a refined prawn cocktail is the perfect alternative. Frozen prawns, thawed and tossed in a homemade Marie Rose sauce (mayo, ketchup, lemon juice, paprika), look instantly polished when served in cocktail glasses or small bowls with a few herbs scattered over. It’s retro chic. Or skewer prawns, flavoured with whatever you have – garlic butter, sweet chilli, paprika …
A chicken that looks genuinely festive
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Turkey and ham have their devotees, but a whole chicken remains the most economical centrepiece for four. Prices vary from around $9 to $14 depending on the supermarket, and with a little attention it can look and taste like a genuine showstopper.
The simplest, most effective way to make it feel special is a bacon lattice. Lay streaky bacon strips over the breast in a loose criss-cross. As it cooks, the bacon bastes the bird, crisps beautifully and infuses the pan juices with the savoury depth you’d normally associate with Christmas ham. Slide a garlic and herb butter under the skin first, tuck halved lemons or oranges around the tray and roast until the bacon is bronzed and the chicken deeply aromatic. The whole thing looks far more expensive than it is.
For households who prefer something quicker-cooking or more “chef-y”, a butterflied chicken is an excellent alternative. It cooks evenly, the skin goes crisp, and you can work flavoured butter into every nook.
Once the chicken is done, make a proper pan gravy from the roasting dish. Add a spoon of flour, a splash of wine or water and whisk until glossy. A little mustard or a touch of cream turns it into something quietly luxurious.
Sides that stretch the meal and brighten the table
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Vegetables are where you create generosity without driving up the bill, and they bring much of the colour and fragrance that make a meal feel celebratory.
Rosemary roast potatoes are non-negotiable. Use the rosemary you bought for the chicken, coat the potatoes well in oil and roast until crisp at the edges.
Honey-orange carrots bring warmth, sweetness and scent. Roast sliced carrots with a little honey and finish with orange zest from the fruit already in your tray.
Minted butter peas prove that frozen vegetables can be elegant. A toss with butter, salt, lemon zest and mint is enough to lift them.
Pavlova, but zhuzhed
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Pavlova is almost mandatory at a New Zealand Christmas, but the trick is to treat it in a way that feels fresh.
A layered pavlova fool is the easiest way to elevate a bought base. Break it into shards, then layer it in a glass bowl with vanilla whipped cream, tinned peaches, mint and a handful of toasted nuts. It looks far more considered than a single pav on a plate, and it stretches further too. Making individual portions in small glasses adds a restaurant-style flourish without increasing the spend.
If you find frozen berries in the freezer – most households have a bag tucked away – blitz them with a little icing sugar to make a glossy sauce to pour over the top. It adds colour and acidity without the budget-pushing price of fresh berries.
For adults, a quick affogato is an elegant “second dessert” if you have vanilla ice cream in the freezer and some coffee on hand. An old bottle of Cointreau, brandy or Kahlua lurking adds a decadent splash. A scoop of ice cream drowned in hot coffee and, if you have it, a dash of whatever liqueur you have on hand feels like an indulgence, yet costs nothing extra.
The savings hidden in your garden and pantry
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Before you shop, check what you already have. December is the moment when gardens and pantries quietly come into their own.
Herbs first. Rosemary thrives almost everywhere at this time of year, thyme is forgiving and mint has a habit of taking over. Lemons linger on trees in much of the North Island, and even one fruit can provide zest for chicken, peas and carrots. Borrowing a sprig of rosemary or a lemon from a neighbour is well within the bounds of festive generosity.
Then survey the pantry. A single can of chickpeas can be roasted with smoked paprika for a crunchy nibble. Nuts and seeds can be toasted and sprinkled over vegetables or folded into pavlova layers. Olives whizz into tapenade. Anchovies melt into flavoured butter for potatoes. Breadcrumbs toasted in butter and garlic add crunch to almost anything.
Your freezer is likely to be just as useful. Bread ends become crostini, berries become sauce and peas become a side dish. Ice cream turns into affogato. Using these odds and ends often keeps the supermarket bill tens of dollars lower.
A stylish table without extra spending
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A festive table doesn’t require a last-minute shopping spree. A few sprigs of rosemary down the centre of the table make an instant garland. Citrus slices in a jug of water double as decoration and refreshment. Plain napkins tied with old ribbon look thoughtful. Jam jars with candles provide atmosphere. The principle is simple: arrange what you have with intention.
The final tally
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Across all major supermarket chains, this menu – seafood starter, bacon-latticed chicken with sides, pavlova fool and even a simple affogato – reliably comes in between $70 and $90 depending on specials. It’s generous, flavourful and unmistakably festive. Most importantly, nobody at the table will guess where the savings were made. A feast for four for under $100, without the compromise.
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11 days ago

Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots

The Team from Resene ColorShop Mt Roskill

Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

Mount Albert, Auckland

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