Need help with paying power bills?
🥶🧣🌧 Winter is just around the corner, and the cost of power is increasing. There are supports available to help with the cost of power bills.
If you are receiving a Work and Income benefit (including NZ Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension), you will automatically receive the Winter Energy Payment. This is around $20 to $30 per week, depending on whether you are single or a couple and whether you have dependent children. It is paid from 1 May until 1 October.
You may be eligible for help from Work and Income to pay for an urgent bill if you have no other way of covering it – even if you are not receiving a benefit. Work and Income can give you up to $200 to help with an outstanding bill, or to reconnect your electricity or gas. They can also help with the cost of bedding, blankets, curtains or heaters. Depending on your situation, you may have to pay the money back.
You may also be eligible for the Power Credits Scheme. It is for helping those affected by the phase-out of low-user charges, to help cover the extra cost of power. Eligible households can receive a $110 credit every year, and those using a budgeting service can receive an extra $110 (a total of $220 per year). To be eligible, you must be struggling to pay your energy bills, you must have been on a low-user fixed charge for at least six months, and your power retailer must be a member of the scheme.
For other support options and more information on help with the cost of power, go to: cab.org.nz/article/KB00001989
Info and image credit: Citizens Advice Bureau: cab.org.nz
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 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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10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.3% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.3% Nah - not for me
🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵
🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓
Send us your tricky puzzles!
Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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