The Leader is making a lot of noise about "Shop Local"
Although the grammar nazi in me shouts "that should read 'locally".
Right ... To start with, I should say that I agree with this in principle. I have shopped locally for decades; in Kaikohe when I lived in the Hokianga, or in Kerikeri, or in Whangarei now that I live down here.
BUT! There is a big, stinking problem here, and that is that in so many instances we are being - there is no other way of putting it - ripped off.
I'll give you an example: years ago I was on a dietary supplement. At my local health food store: $47 a bottle. Purchased on the internet, and airmailed from the USA: $17 per bottle, *including postage*. Nearly 3 times as much. So when I hear retailers jubilation that we customers now have to pay more GST on the goods we get overseas, and how that will help local business, I can only laugh: 15% on that 17 dollar bottle is not going to change my mind. Get real.
I can buy books in England and have them shipped that cost me 12-15 dollars landed in my letter box, and they would cost $30 if I bought them locally.
And no, not for a moment am I accepting the favourite argument that it's transport cost. The transport cost for a trade paperback book in a container would be mere cents. Somebody, be it the importers, or be it the distributors, are making a killing.
That is nothing to say about the attitude I encounter in many shops.
Used to go into the Kerikeri New World, ask at the deli counter about some exotic sausage meat - "we don't have any in, but I can have it for you by Tuesday, what is your phone number please". My experience at the Regent when asking for a product in their weekly catalogue? "We don't do that (blue cheese) here". Not apologetic, just snooty. Guess what - I am feeling inclined to take a good deal of my custom elsewhere, even if it means I have to pay for shipping.
We have a couple of hardware stores who declare they will drop their price if someone else has the product cheaper. I went to the first one, B, but they didn't have that drill press I wanted on the shelf. I went to the second one, M, they had one, but more expensive - some piffling amount like 20 or 30 dollars. I asked if they would drop the price to that of the competition. They had to ring up, found out the competition didn't have one on the shelf and refused to drop the price. So I went online at home, and got one sent up freepost from Auckland at a lower price the next day. They missed out on a $425 sale because they would not drop the price by $20. Does that make sense, business wise? I think not. Does that make sense in terms of 'happy customer'? Not At All. They blew my good-will.
Buy locally? Yes, with all my heart - I want to support local business. But you need to make an effort at service for starters, and it would help if you would not grossly overcharge us on some product lines as well. I'm actually prepared to pay 10-20% extra locally, but not 200-300%. Maybe someone should explain that to some of the local retailers.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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54.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.6% Critical thinking
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28.6% Resilience and adaptability
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2.3% Other - I will share below!
Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday February 26th, 2026
Good People
Welcome to 2026!
The film night for our first WFS screening for the year will be on Thursday 26th February in the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei.
Please note: There will be one screening only for the evening. It will follow the WFS AGM at 6pm.
We will be screening the NZ doco, Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke at 7:15pm.
Thanks to all for your continued support of WFS and hope to see you there.
NOT ONLY FRED DAGG BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE
New Zealand, 2025, Documentary, 103 mins
Cast: Sam Neill, Ben Elton, Bryan Dawe
Director: Lorin Clarke
When satirist John Clarke died in 2017, the world mourned an icon. He was a defining comedic voice who wrote and appeared in numerous films and TV productions, and who – in a beloved double act with Bryan Dawe – skewered political hypocrisy for almost 30 years on current affairs shows.
In a series of recorded conversations with his daughter, writer/director Lorin Clarke, John traces his steadfast resistance to authority back to his childhood and offers delightful insights into his four decades in the entertainment industry.
Weaving together personal anecdotes, a rich television archive, tales from international comedy greats and riches from Clarke’s work and letters, this is a deeply personal insight into a legend of the antipodean screen and a tribute to the disruptive power of creativity.
"In New Zealand, he was bigger than The Beatles." - Sam Neill
Showing at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei on Thursday, 26th February at 7:15pm following the WFS AGM at 6pm.
View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...
Tickets: Door sales only. $10 WFS members. Non-members pay $5 extra as an Associate Membership fee per film (Total of $15).
WFS members from 2025 who register and attend the WFS AGM will be admitted to the film screening that night for free.
All welcome. Cash only please – NO EFTPOS AVAILABLE.
Whangarei Aglow Meeting
Please join us for an inspiring massage from Pastor Geoff Wiklund, 7 pm Tikipunga Baptist Church, 25th of February!
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