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2097 days ago

'Essential services' - liquour or fruits and vegetables?

Dr Naseem from Pinehill

I refer to the NZ Herald article below:

www.nzherald.co.nz...

Could someone please explain to me how or in what way liquor is considered ‘essential services’ or even ‘dairies’ compared to shops that sell fruits and vegetables like say Fruit World?

If shops like Fruit World were open in our neighbourhoods, we would not need to go to our local Park and Save or other supermarkets as frequently. Fruits and vegetables are perishable goods and cannot be stored for long, unlike liquor or canned food or toilet rolls. So we need to get them relatively more frequently.


Further, fruits and vegetables help build up our immunity. Sugar does not. And as a side note, liquor does not help reduce domestic violence incidences either. It sometimes fuels them! And in some cases, it serves as an 'excuse' for some to excuse themselves from incorrigible behaviour, like this fellow who must have had sustained intoxication to actually post this video of himself doing what he did:


www.nzherald.co.nz...

How do we convince the government that shops selling fruits and vegetables should be allowed to open? It better not be that we need (yet another) petition to get this done! Who do we write to?

Naseem
Associate Professor, Massey University

More messages from your neighbours
7 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.8% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.8% Complete
  • 69.8% Nah - not for me
    69.8% Complete
817 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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