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Children are especially vulnerable to the influence of advertising, which is now more sophisticated and personalised than ever.
Children in Aotearoa are now targeted by advertisers in a wide variety of contexts, both physical and digital, and in a more systematic, integrated and personalised way … View moreChildren are especially vulnerable to the influence of advertising, which is now more sophisticated and personalised than ever.
Children in Aotearoa are now targeted by advertisers in a wide variety of contexts, both physical and digital, and in a more systematic, integrated and personalised way than ever before.
These days, ads aren't just something children see between TV programmes. They are woven into their physical environment and the digital platforms they use to learn, play and socialise.
Our new research showed just how pervasive this exposure is.
We used data from the earlier Kids’Cam observational study, which tracked 90 New Zealand children’s real-world experiences using wearable cameras that captured what they were looking at from waking up to going to sleep.
On average, we found children encountered marketing for “unhealthy” products – junk food, alcohol and gambling, 76 times per day. That’s almost two-and-a-half times more than their daily exposure to “healthy” marketing.
Coca-Cola topped the list of most frequently encountered brands, appearing 6.3 times a day on average. The findings also show stark inequalities. Children from more socioeconomically deprived areas were exposed to significantly more unhealthy marketing for junk food.
Why exposure matters
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Advertising directed at children extends far beyond simply promoting products. It profoundly shapes their cognitive, social and behavioural development.
Research has shown it can spark an immediate desire for products and contribute to conflict between children and parents.
It can also influence the formation of broader consumption values and desires. Advertising exposure has been linked to increased materialism, by associating possessions with happiness and success.
However, materialism is consistently associated with lower self-esteem, reduced well-being, and weaker social relationships because it shifts focus away from intrinsic sources of fulfilment such as personal growth and connection.
Moreover, marketing plays a pivotal role in shaping children’s beliefs, attitudes and social norms.
There is evidence connecting advertising to the internalisation of gender and racial stereotypes and distorted body image. It has also been linked to the early use of harmful products such as tobacco and alcohol.
Advertising has been found to affect dietary habits, with sustained exposure to food advertising significantly increasing the risk of childhood obesity.
Vulnerable to influence
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Children are uniquely vulnerable to the influence of advertising as they lack the critical reasoning skills to recognise and evaluate persuasive intent.
In the online environment where advertising is embedded in games, influencer content and social feeds, children are especially vulnerable.
Our study found a clear pattern. The less regulation there is, the higher the exposure.
Tobacco marketing, which is tightly regulated, was rarely encountered by the children in our study. Alcohol and gambling – regulated by a patchwork of laws and voluntary codes – appeared moderately often. But junk food marketing, almost entirely self-regulated by industry, dominated what they saw.
More than half of the unhealthy food and alcohol marketing children saw came from just 15 multinational companies. This highlights the systemic nature of the problem, as well as the resources behind it. These companies have the money to spend on marketing these harmful products to children.
Taking action
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International agencies such as the United Nations have warned that exploitative marketing is a major global threat to children’s health.
To respond to this growing harm, governments need to:
protect children through comprehensive regulation restricting junk food, alcohol and gambling marketing, similar to what already exists for tobacco
introduce restrictions on product packaging for unhealthy products, which the study found was a key medium for marketing
conduct further research to understand the digital marketing environment, in particular to identify disparities in targeting based on ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic status.
This is not just about protecting children’s innocence. It’s about protecting their health, autonomy and future opportunities. Left unchecked, the current commercial environment risks deepening health inequities and normalising harmful consumption patterns from an early age.
Aotearoa New Zealand has the chance to lead efforts to create a digital and physical environment where commercial interests do not undermine children’s rights and wellbeing.
That requires moving beyond voluntary codes towards enforceable protections – grounded in evidence, public health priorities and equity.
If we don’t act now, we risk commodifying childhood itself.
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… then you need something else than the usual: a 20 in (51 cm) Sea Buffalo Bush Knife / Machete with a wooden handle • Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School) • NOTE: Will ONLY sell to responsible adults! No Gang members • No Insignia • No tattoos.
Very clean inside • Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School)
Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School)
Yellow bag has single-use cutlery • Big plastic box not included • Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School)
Roll with White Packing Straps • Empty Roll could quite easily be turned into a garden hose reel • Pickup in Green Bay (we live opposite Green Bay High School)
Come along to a free one-hour presentation on Tuesday 26th August, at 2.00pm at St Lukes Community Church, 130 Remuera Rd.and learn about organising your photos on your iPad.
Email: mac.auckland@seniornet.nz or Phone Janet 0212148386.
Nurses report that waiting rooms are packed around the clock, with some patients facing hours-long delays before being seen. A combination of flu cases, COVID-19 infections, and winter-related illnesses such as respiratory conditions has put enormous pressure on already stretched services. Staff … View moreNurses report that waiting rooms are packed around the clock, with some patients facing hours-long delays before being seen. A combination of flu cases, COVID-19 infections, and winter-related illnesses such as respiratory conditions has put enormous pressure on already stretched services. Staff shortages have further compounded the situation, leaving frontline workers exhausted.
One senior nurse described the conditions as “relentless,” noting that the patient flow has shown no sign of slowing down since the start of winter. Many patients arriving at EDs are elderly or have underlying health issues, requiring longer and more complex care. This has created a bottleneck, with patients often waiting for ward beds to become available.
Health experts say the demand highlights the need for more investment in both emergency and primary care. They stress that many people end up in emergency departments because they cannot access timely GP appointments, further increasing ED workloads.
Despite the pressure, nurses continue to provide critical care, but they warn the system is close to breaking point. Calls have been made for urgent action to support frontline staff, including additional resources, recruitment drives, and stronger community care initiatives to ease hospital demand.
As winter continues, Auckland’s ED nurses say they are bracing for even tougher weeks ahead.
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Just found out (I was in Germany in May and half of June) that while I was away "In May, the government quashed all current pay equity claims, including those from teachers, and passed legislation preventing new claims for 10 years"
I searched on Neighbourly for comments on that but … View moreJust found out (I was in Germany in May and half of June) that while I was away "In May, the government quashed all current pay equity claims, including those from teachers, and passed legislation preventing new claims for 10 years"
I searched on Neighbourly for comments on that but found absolutely nothing - has this disgraceful law passed everyone by?
Who doesn’t love a freebie - especially on their birthday?
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According to University of Canterbury marketing professor Ekant Veer, it makes us feel like we’re “winning” at life.
He told RNZ last week: “Treasure hunting is still within the … View moreWho doesn’t love a freebie - especially on their birthday?
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According to University of Canterbury marketing professor Ekant Veer, it makes us feel like we’re “winning” at life.
He told RNZ last week: “Treasure hunting is still within the psyche of every human to say, ‘I feel like I’ve accomplished something and I’ve done it for free’.”
The promise of free stuff is particularly tempting when the cost of living is high. A freebie at the supermarket might just ease the pain of forking out more than $10 for butter.
Restaurants and retailers know this, so many of them offer customers a free treat or gift on their birthday. You have to be signed up to rewards programmes or a membership to benefit from most of them - but it might just be worth the constant barrage of emails in your inbox.
So, here are just some of the perks, free food and vouchers you can nab on your birthday across New Zealand.
Food and drink
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If you’re like me, your day truly starts when you take that first sip of coffee - so it makes sense to kick off our birthday freebie crawl with a hot beverage.
You can get a free hot drink from Columbus Coffee cafes throughout the country if you’re signed up to Columbus Rewards, and if one isn’t enough, you can get another beverage on Starbucks through their rewards programme.
If you’re after a sweet treat to go with your coffee - and you’re in Auckland - head into Krispy Kreme and get yourself a pack of 4 original glazed Krispy Kreme donuts for free, as long as you’ve signed up to their Inner Circle rewards programme at least 4 weeks before your birthday.
Subway also offers loyalty members a free cookie and drink with a meal purchase on their birthday. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, you can claim a free birthday burger from Burgerfuel if you’re a long-time VIB member. If you’re a new member or use your membership very rarely, it’s buy one popular burger, get one free.
Mexicali Fresh will sort you out with a free birthday taco with a $10 spend, and while we’re on that Mexican wave, sign up to Mexico’s Love Mexico app and get $10 to spend on your birthday.
Fancy a cheeky Nando’s? If you’re signed up to Nando’s PeriPerks, you’ll get a $15 voucher to spend during your birthday month.
And Mama Brown’s in Wellington will shout you a free meal and drink if you bring along a friend who orders and pays for their own, available five days either side of your actual birthday.
Shopping
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It’s not just cafes and eateries that will shout you a birthday gift, so make sure you add a stop at the shops to your itinerary. If you haven’t signed up for a membership at your favourite clothing or tech stores because it’s too much hassle, think again; it could really pay off when your birthday rolls around.
I don’t know about you, but nothing calms me like browsing the Farmers homeware department, so best believe I was overjoyed to find that if you have a Farmers club card, you can opt in to get a free birthday gift.
If you sign up for a Country Road membership you can get rewards ranging from $10-$100 on your birthday.
Bendon also offers members a birthday gift of $10 off a purchase, while North Beach Locals can get $20 voucher on their birthday. If you’re the outdoorsy type, then Kathmandu’s Out There Rewards has you covered, while Palmers Rewards members can get a $10 birthday voucher from the garden centre chain.
For the beauty gurus, Mecca’s Beauty Loop programme will also earn you a free gift on your birthday.
If you’re the crafty type, you can get a birthday voucher from Spotlight through their VIP club.
Hoyts Cinemas offers a birthday reward of a free drink or small popcorn for members, while Silky Otter Club members can get a free movie ticket from the boutique cinema during their birthday week - as well as a birthday treat if they upgrade to a Platinum membership.
And for the techie, Noel Leeming will gift you a voucher to spend.
Activities
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Eaten and shopped (for free) to your heart’s content? Turns out there’s plenty of free ways to pass the time on your birthday.
So, round up your mates for some good old-fashioned group activities and enjoy the birthday VIP treatment.
If you’re in Wellington and relish the idea of taking aim at your mates for free while they pay for the privilege, maybe you can talk 10 of them into heading along to Wellington Paintball Corp on your birthday with you - you’ll get free entry.
Gloputt Mini Golf in Takapuna, Auckland will let you play for free on your birthday - just bring your ID.
And the budding marine biologist in the family will get free entry to Kelly Tarlton’s in Auckland on their birthday.
If you’re after something more relaxing, you can get a free one-hour massage at Optihealth in Auckland with a refundable booking fee, if you’ve visited in the past six months.
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Brush up your painting skills and brighten your wash days. There’s no two ways about it, doing laundry is a chore so why not inject a sense of fun into it with a quick refresh? Paint a striped ceiling with Resene SpaceCote Flat, a blackboard with Resene FX Blackboard Paint, stencil words with … View moreBrush up your painting skills and brighten your wash days. There’s no two ways about it, doing laundry is a chore so why not inject a sense of fun into it with a quick refresh? Paint a striped ceiling with Resene SpaceCote Flat, a blackboard with Resene FX Blackboard Paint, stencil words with Resene SpaceCote Flat and Resene Enamacryl. Find out how to refresh your laundry with these easy step by step instructions.
We are a new support group for seniors. We meet once a month to share our experience and discuss our challenges & concerns.
With the growth of our ageing population, and more seniors living alone, this group would explore and advocate/address the social, emotional and physical needs of our … View moreWe are a new support group for seniors. We meet once a month to share our experience and discuss our challenges & concerns.
With the growth of our ageing population, and more seniors living alone, this group would explore and advocate/address the social, emotional and physical needs of our seniors, and promote positive and healthy ageing.
We meet on the first Saturday afternoon of the month in Mt. Roskill.
If you are interested in joining us and contribute your ideas, knowledge, experience, talents and resources, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at agewellkiwi@gmail.com.
Hey neighbours!
Ever feel like you’re running on empty? Between work, family, and everything else, sleep often gets pushed to the back burner. But a good night’s sleep really does make a difference for mood, energy, and overall health.
This article talks about why more Kiwis are choosing to … View moreHey neighbours!
Ever feel like you’re running on empty? Between work, family, and everything else, sleep often gets pushed to the back burner. But a good night’s sleep really does make a difference for mood, energy, and overall health.
This article talks about why more Kiwis are choosing to invest in better sleep — and how Beds4U can help you find a mattress that actually works for you. Check out the article here: www.stuff.co.nz...
Would love to hear how you all make time for rest in your busy lives!
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