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: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
FLATMATES/BOARDERS WANTED
FLATMATES/BOARDER/S WANTED
PUHINUI ROAD, PAPATOETOE, MANUKAU CITY
3 bedroom house with 1 bathroom.
FULLY FURNISHED
NO scammers or hasslers
2 ROOMS TO LET
Bright and sunny room, large courtyard, deck, built in wardrobe.
Water,electricity,internet, microwave and Fridge/Freezer provided.
Plenty of parking inside also off street parking, very private/quite.
BTW: You will have you own room
1 Person
The board is 1 week rent $180
2 People Couple/2 boys/2 girls
1 week rent $280
NO STORAGE
FLATMATES/BOARDERS WANTED
FLATMATES/BOARDER/S WANTED
PUHINUI ROAD, PAPATOETOE, MANUKAU CITY
3 bedroom house with 1 bathroom.
FULLY FURNISHED
NO scammers or hasslers
2 ROOMS TO LET
Bright and sunny room, large courtyard, deck, built in wardrobe.
Water,electricity,internet, microwave and Fridge/Freezer provided.
Plenty of parking inside also off street parking, very private/quite.
BTW: You will have you own room
1 Person
The board is 1 week rent $180
2 People Couple/2 boys/2 girls
1 week rent $280
NO STORAGE
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