Top tips for Christmas shopping
Stressed about the pre-Christmas shopping rush? Here are 7 top tips to make gift buying a breeze, plus your rights when things don't go to plan.
1. Watch out for sale prices
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Are you tempted by a “sale” price that looks too good to miss? Check you’re getting a genuine bargain before handing over your cash. Do a quick online comparison of prices on other retailers’ websites to see whether it’s the best price on offer. Sales are so common at some retailers that discounts aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.
2. Get an exchange card
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Not sure your gift will get a glowing reception? To avoid it gathering dust in someone’s wardrobe or being “re-gifted”, ask the store for an exchange card so the recipient can swap the unloved item for something else. Not all stores offer exchange cards, but they may still be willing to do an exchange.
3. Avoid gift cards
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Gift cards are the go-to option if you’re short on time or ideas. But before you buy, check whether the card has an expiry date. Cards with short expiry dates mean they could become worthless before they can be redeemed. You could always consider giving cash instead – it doesn’t come with any expiry date. Check out our campaign to end unfair gift card expiry dates.
4. Avoid extended warranties
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If you’re offered an extended warranty with your purchase, don’t waste your money. You’ll probably be paying for protection you already have under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). The CGA requires goods to be of acceptable quality. The retailer must put things right when a product doesn’t measure up.
5. Ignore pressure tactics
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“Hurry, last items in this size.” “Limited stock.” “Ten other people are looking at this.” Treat these claims with the scepticism they deserve. They’re pressure tactics that tempt you to head to the checkout without delay. Don’t let them sway you into making a purchase you could end up regretting.
6. Watch out for credit traps
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Is your shopping budget running thin? Many retailers will be more than happy to offer you credit with an interest-free period. But think carefully before signing up – these offers may be interest-free but rarely fee-free. You’ll usually have to pay a fee to set up the deal, and you can also be stung with default fees if you miss payments.
Missed payment fees can also apply if you sign up with services such as Afterpay and Laybuy. With these payment options, you get your goods immediately and pay off the price in instalments. But they’re not currently covered by credit or layby laws, and you don’t have the same right to cancel if you change your mind.
7. Remember that mistakes happen
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Check your bank statements and receipts to make sure you haven’t been overcharged. If you spot an error, immediately contact the retailer and ask it to fix the problem.
What the law says
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The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) applies to all traders that advertise or sell to Kiwi consumers, even if the company is based abroad. The CGA covers all items bought from a trader for personal use. It doesn’t matter if you purchased the product or received it as a gift.
The CGA requires that goods:
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are of acceptable quality
are fit for purpose
match the advertised descriptions
will be priced reasonably (if no price or pricing systems have been agreed upfront)
will be delivered on time or within a reasonable time if the supplier arranges delivery
will be owned by the customer once purchased.
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www.consumer.org.nz...
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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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73.1% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.2% Hmm, maybe?
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10.8% Yes!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Minimum wage to increase from April next year, Govt commits to bigger rise than last year
The Government will increase the minimum wage by 2% from April next year.
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden announced the hourly wage would move from the current $23.50 to $23.95 in line with advice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“Moderate” increases of the minimum wage formed part of NZ First’s coalition agreement with National.
Van Velden says the new rate, which would impact around 122,500 New Zealand workers, strikes a right balance between keeping up with the cost of living – the Reserve Bank expects inflation to fall to around 2% by mid-2026 – and no adding more pressure to the costs of running a business.
The starting out and training minimum wage would be move to $19.16 to remain at 80% of the adult minimum wage.
The minimum wage was last increased on April 1 this year. That 1.5% increased to $23.50, affecting between 80,000 and 145,000 workers, was not at the time in line with inflation which sat around 2.5% in March.
“I know those pressures have made it a tough time to do business, which is why we have taken this balanced approach. With responsible economic management, recovery and relief is coming,” Van Velden said.
“I am pleased to deliver this moderate increase to the minimum wage that reflects this Government’s commitment to growing the economy, boosting incomes and supporting Kiwis in jobs throughout New Zealand.”
Official documents from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) show the department provided the Minister with seven options for the minimum wage, ranging from maintaining the current rate or increasing by 3% up to $24.20 per hour.
A 2% increase was recommended, the Ministry said, as this was ”considered to best balance the two limbs of the objective - protecting the real income of low-paid workers and minimising job losses."
“CPI inflation forecasts suggest annual inflation will ease to be within the 2–2.5% range in the first half of 2026 and remain relatively stable at around 2% from June 2026 through to 2028.
“These forecasts indicate that a 2% increase would largely maintain the real income of minimum wage workers relative to the level of the minimum wage when it last increased on 1 April 2025.”
Officials said a 2% increase wouldn’t have significant employment restraint effects.
But given recent economic data, including a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contraction and elevated unemployment, MBIE said it favoured a “cautious approach”.
“A 2% increase to the adult minimum wage is expected to affect approximately 122,500 workers, including those currently earning at or below the minimum wage, or between the current rate and $23.95.”
The key groups that would be impacted include youth, part-time, female, and Māori workers, as well as sectors like tourism, horticulture, agriculture, cleaning, hospitality, and retail.
“While these workers would benefit from a wage increase, they may also be more exposed to employer responses to increased labour costs such as reduced hours or adjustments to non-wage benefits,” the ministry said
“The estimated fiscal cost to government from this increase is relatively modest, at $17.5 million annually, consistent with the small cost estimates across all rate options.”
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