Poll: What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?
Butter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.
Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some members of our community (women, Māori, and Pacific people) are experiencing worsening financial positions at elevated rates.
Stats NZ tells us that food prices have jumped 4.6% since this time last year, with meat and dairy doing most of the damage. This jump is hitting us all, but groceries are just one part of the picture.
When basic costs keep climbing, the old cost-saving tricks — like bulk-buying or stockpiling on sale — don’t always work. Who can afford to spend more upfront when every dollar already has a job?
We want to know: What costs have caught you off guard the most? What are the expenses that feel impossible to juggle right now?
Share your thoughts below!
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43.5% Grocery bills
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33% Utilities
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1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)
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0.1% Education
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7.6% Healthcare
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1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)
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7.9% Rent or mortgage
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1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions
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4.1% Other - share below!
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
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? 🤔
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72.6% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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17.7% Hmm, maybe?
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9.7% Yes!
THE WAIKANAE BEACH CHRISTMAS MARKET 2025
WHEN:-
Sunday 14 December - 10am - 1pm
LOCATION:-
Waikanae Beach Community Hall
22 Rauparaha Street,
Waikanae Beach
FUN FOR THE KIDS:-
Guess who's making an appearance at around 11am? He'll be flying out again around 12ish so make sure you take a photo of the kids with him! He may even have a few Christmas treats in his sack!
DISCOVER UNIQUE AND QUALITY ITEMS:-
With Christmas just around the corner, this is a great opportunity to do your Christmas shopping at the market where you'll find a huge variety of high-quality, reasonably priced Christmas gift ideas. You'll discover handmade treasures and local creativity by highly talented stallholders where every piece tells a story.
GIFTS FOR THE KIDS:-
Meet local author Mik Peryer (the "Waikanae Birdman") and view his many children's adventure books along with Jane and her handmade crochet toys, along with Helen and her huge range of awesome handmade children's dress ups and dolls clothes etc.
MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:-
Meet up with family and friends and enjoy a Sunday outing with a visit to this great, friendly community market.
Don't miss it... support local!
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