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Of the 1042 drivers aged 18 to 25 surveyed by the AA Research Foundation in 2025, 23% admitted to scrolling social media while behind the wheel.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) estimates a driver is about four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a phone.
The AA and Kaitiaki o … View moreOf the 1042 drivers aged 18 to 25 surveyed by the AA Research Foundation in 2025, 23% admitted to scrolling social media while behind the wheel.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) estimates a driver is about four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a phone.
The AA and Kaitiaki o Ara/Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) are advocating for young drivers to turn on the do-not-disturb feature on their phones before getting behind the wheel.
Sadd general manager Donna Govorko said younger drivers are significantly more prone to phone distractions.
Turning on the feature, which silences notifications, would help young motorists stay focused while on the road, said Govorko.
“This is the generation who have grown up in a time when social media and mobile phones are rooted in our daily lives, but we cannot let distracted driving become the norm when lives are at stake.
“That’s why we want our young drivers, and indeed all drivers, to try out the ‘do not disturb’ feature on their smartphone whenever they are behind the wheel.
“By removing the temptation of alerts and vibrations, hopefully people are more likely to concentrate on the road ahead and their actions behind the wheel.”
New Zealand’s young drivers have the highest rates of road deaths in the OECD.
The rates are also substantially above those of older age groups in New Zealand, said the AA.
Its road safety spokesman, Dylan Thomsen, said if New Zealand had the same rate of road deaths among young people as Australia does, 20 fewer Kiwis would die each year.
He believes the use of the do-not-disturb feature “could be a game changer”.
Turning it on before driving is a quick, easy, and effective strategy to limit distractions, he said.
Sadd is encouraging New Zealand youth to “show up” for their peers and take responsibility for their choices in its newest road safety campaign.
“Getting your mate to buckle up, stopping your friend from driving drunk, or pointing out do-not-disturb to your driver are all simple and potentially life-saving ways our rangatahi can make a difference,” said Govorko.
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With news coming through today that Cristiano Ronaldo has become football's first ever billionaire player, it's a good time to check up on our own high financial sports achievers from New Zealand.
Spoiler alert: they're not anywhere near the eight figure mark that the 40-year-old … View moreWith news coming through today that Cristiano Ronaldo has become football's first ever billionaire player, it's a good time to check up on our own high financial sports achievers from New Zealand.
Spoiler alert: they're not anywhere near the eight figure mark that the 40-year-old Ronaldo looks at every time he checks his savings account, but the earnings are still very lucrative and impressive.
There's a few regular entries on this list, so some names will come as no surprise. What may surprise you is who isn't, because while F1 driver Liam Lawson competes in one of the wealthiest and glamorous sports in the world, his take home earnings are reportedly 'only' around $1 million (plus performance bonuses) a season. That could change dramatically next year though - for better or worse.
Basketball - Steven Adams
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Steven Adams of the Houston Rockets rebounds against the Golden State Warriors during the NBA play-offs, 2025. No surprise here that Adams still tops the charts in verifiable earnings, as his NBA contract is common knowledge. Now at the Houston Rockets, Adams signed a $84 million, three year contract extension in June, which will take his guaranteed earnings to around $362 million over a 12-year career.
Football - Chris Wood
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Chris Wood celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.Chris Wood celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
Easily New Zealand's greatest ever presence in the English Premier League, Wood has admirably done it the hard way. Now on his 12th club in 15 years, his massive season last year with Nottingham Forest has seen him valued at around $9 million per season, which in football terms is £100,000 a week. Wood still makes himself available for every All Whites fixture, for which he gets paid a fraction of what he does for his club, and thanks in part to his contribution they will return to the FIFA World Cup next year.
Boxing - Joe Parker
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Joseph Parker after beating Martin Bakole to retain his WBO interim title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2025.Joseph Parker after beating Martin Bakole to retain his WBO interim title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2025. Photo:
It's hard enough to confirm even the most rudimentary elements of the murky world of boxing, but it's fair to say Parker's decision to stick with the sport through to the now extremely lucrative Saudi Public Investment Fund era has been a very prudent one. He is now estimated to be picking up at least $3 million every time he steps in the ring, although a massive pay day against the likes of Oleksandr Usyk remains elusive.
Golf - Lydia Ko, Ryan Fox, Danny Lee, Steven Alker
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Fox has currently earned just under $6 million for the year, thanks to victories at the Myrtle Beach Classic and Canadian Open, as well as other results that have seen him climb into the world top 30 rankings. Meanwhile, Ko has been so successful for so long, she's now second on the all-time LPGA earning list, having taken home around $38 million in prize money across her glittering 13-year career.
Meanwhile, Lee decided to take the LIV Golf money on offer and while it's meant he's not really in the headlines, it's unlikely he cares too much as he earns around $5 million a year. Alker took home $4 million from the PGA Champions Tour last year, most of that from a $2.18 million payday after claiming the overall season title.
Rugby - Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea
==============================
Here's where it gets interesting because while everyone knows that while the All Blacks are well paid, their salaries are nowhere near the PGA or NBA range. NZ Rugby keep details secret, but it's understood Barrett and Savea would be on over $1 million a year in base salary, they can pick up an even bigger chunk of change for just one season in the Japanese Rugby League One competition.
Savea will head up for his second stint at the Kobe Steelers next year, as part of a negotiated deal that will see him return to the All Blacks in July. These sort of arrangements can effectively double an All Blacks' salary within the space of a few months.
Rugby league - Dylan Brown
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The Kiwis standoff will join the Newcastle Knights next season on a contract worth a reported $15 million. That is over 10 years though, but it is still the largest long term contract ever signed in the NRL.
Sailing - Peter Burling
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Burling's dramatic split with Emirates Team NZ and move to rivals Luna Rossa has likely involved a pay increase, which comes on top of what he is earning on the Sail GP circuit as skipper of the Black Foils.
Cricket - Trent Boult
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Boult takes home around $2.5 million a season in the Indian Premer League, where he plays for the Mumbai Indians. While that's a great result for one of our greatest ever bowlers, it pales in comparison to sort of ridiculous IPL money on offer. Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni and Virat Kholi have all surpassed the $30 million career earnings mark, and wages are only going to increase going forward.
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Friday 17 & Saturday 18 October, 10am - 2pm.
Come and experience the warmth of our Ryman village communities, we'd love to show you around.
Discover our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and explore our premium amenities.
Building your own glasshouse need not be a daunting task. Using recycled windows of equal size makes this project a whole lot easier. We painted ours in Resene Bilbao and Resene Bush. Find out how to create and paint your own mini glasshouse with these easy step by step instructions.
🚗 Vehicle parked in a visible location, or off the street if possible.
🚙 Valuables, including keys, removed from vehicle, or stored safely out of sight.
🚗 Vehicle locked & keys taken with you.
🚙 Keys & key chains do not display names, addresses, or license plate numbers.
… View more🚗 Vehicle parked in a visible location, or off the street if possible.
🚙 Valuables, including keys, removed from vehicle, or stored safely out of sight.
🚗 Vehicle locked & keys taken with you.
🚙 Keys & key chains do not display names, addresses, or license plate numbers.
🚗 Number plates secured with anti-theft screws (available at car accessory stores).
🚙 Alloy wheels secured with fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts.
🚗 Car ownership information stored at home, not in the vehicle.
🚙 Vehicle fitted with an anti-theft device, such as a steering wheel lock or alarm.
🚗 If the vehicle is keyless, ‘keys’ (or entry device) kept a safe distance from the car, away from doors & windows so the signal cannot be interfered with.
🚙 Get to know neighbours & their vehicles so you’ll know if you see something that doesn’t seem right.
Always report suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood.
If it's already happened, phone 105 or report at 105.police.govt.nz.
If it's happening now, call 111.
Want to make an anonymous report? Contact Crime Stoppers
For more tips on keeping safe, visit the police.govt.nz website.
Financial Markets Authority are warning the community about a new scam where scammers are hacking social media accounts in order to pretend to be a friend and loved one. When impersonating, they use special codes and sophisticated software to manipulate the target's cryptocurrency wallets
… View moreFinancial Markets Authority are warning the community about a new scam where scammers are hacking social media accounts in order to pretend to be a friend and loved one. When impersonating, they use special codes and sophisticated software to manipulate the target's cryptocurrency wallets
How to avoid scams involving hacked social media accounts:
- When approached by your family or friends on social media talking about investment opportunities, be wary.
- Consider contacting the loved one by other means toverify their identity, such as by phone.
- Be careful when anyone or any platform requires advance payments to withdraw funds.
Hi
I have 2 new commercial bulkheads in their boxes- Commercial grade- metal and glass.
Both for $10 - or make an offer.. .
NEW -1 each:P OVAL & ROUND Black Bulkhead
Quality SUPERLUX - engineered by NZ engineers with 75 years NZ experience
100w
Metal Bulkhead with Glass Lens- … View moreHi
I have 2 new commercial bulkheads in their boxes- Commercial grade- metal and glass.
Both for $10 - or make an offer.. .
NEW -1 each:P OVAL & ROUND Black Bulkhead
Quality SUPERLUX - engineered by NZ engineers with 75 years NZ experience
100w
Metal Bulkhead with Glass Lens- Commercial Grade
Superlux Model: LJ3002-BL & Superlux Model: LJ3052-BL
Boxed, and unused, but exterior of box is a bit bent, from storage- see photo
SIZE
280mm X 160, 130 deep
and
240mm dia, 120 deep
PICKUP - One Tree Hill, near Royal Oak Mall
Message me or email: E: sdgartner@gmail.com
While New Zealand might have about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000 a year, there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage.
Data compiled by Infometrics showed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country.
The data does not adjust for … View moreWhile New Zealand might have about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000 a year, there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage.
Data compiled by Infometrics showed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country.
The data does not adjust for hours worked, and some of the workers may not be working a 40-hour week.
But it shows that on an annual basis, many sectors were not delivering incomes that were equal to the minimum wage.
The minimum wage of $23.50 an hour works out to just under $49,000 a year for a full-time, 40-hour a week worker.
Fuel retailing was paying a median of almost exactly the same amount.
Food retailing was paying less, at $45,030. Accommodation was slightly more, at $49,240, and food and beverage services was significantly less at $40,170.
Also within $10,000 of minimum wage were "other store-based retailing" at $53,220, sport and recreation services at $53,350 and personal and other services at $54,170.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data last year showed that about 141,900 people would be directly affected by the minimum wage rising to $23.50, indicating they were at that point being paid less than that amount per hour.
Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon said skills and experience explained a lot of the variation in incomes.
"Industries that need a more skilled workforce generally pay more - because they can get a lot of value out of their workers, and workers need a good incentive to gain those skills - for example, medicine. Industries that take in a lot of lower qualified staff, like hospitality, can get away with paying a lot less, and still get plenty of job applicants.
"There are other factors like desirability - some jobs might not have a high skill requirement but are somewhat undesirable - say underground coal mining - so higher pay is necessary to find workers."
CTU policy director and economist Craig Enney said "hours adequacy" was a big problem in many sectors.
"You've got someone who's working 20 hours a week or 25 hours, on $25 an hour, so you're earning $500 a week. Is that enough? No.
"The challenge is often about the structure of employment in some of those sectors…In hospo, in retail, in catering, in a range of other sort of service-based industries, it's wanting more hours and not getting it."
The latest labour market statistics showed the the number of underutilised people in the country had risen to 403,000.
"These are people who want more hours, want more work and can't get it. And that may be a key reason why, you know, total incomes are so inadequate for some people. And that's also partially helping to explain why the headline unemployment rate is not rising as quickly as some people had predicted."
Jake Lilley, a spokesperson for financial mentor network Fincap, said it was something mentors dealt with.
"They also help people work out what is realistic in terms of taking on hours while balancing additional childcare costs. Our latest Voices reporting recorded 31 percent of those supported by a financial mentor as having a mix of income from salary or wages as well as income support.
"It is a real juggle to navigate finances when unpredictable sporadic hours of work need reporting to Work and Income in what can be impractical timeframes. An example might be someone being asked to stay on for a longer shift by their manager and being unable to contact Work and Income when that day is the deadline to report other income.
"Someone might also not know exactly what their pay will be until a payslip is provided after the reporting date. Such situations can often result in overpayment debts from Work and Income compounding the difficulty of administering already tight finances."
Event Description
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Join us at Federal Square aka St Patricks Square in Auckland CBD for World Homeless Day 2025—a powerful day of community, creativity, and hope. Every New Zealander deserves a safe place to call home. This event brings together street whānau, frontline workers,… View moreEvent Description
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Join us at Federal Square aka St Patricks Square in Auckland CBD for World Homeless Day 2025—a powerful day of community, creativity, and hope. Every New Zealander deserves a safe place to call home. This event brings together street whānau, frontline workers, advocates, artists, and the wider community to honour resilience and amplify the urgent call for collective action. We invite you to stand with us, listen, share, and be part of the change.
What to Expect
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Free health checks and vaccinations provided by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Hato Hone St John, and the National Health Coalition
Legal support from Auckland Community Law
Mobile showers and laundry courtesy of Orange Sky
Hot meals, breakfast packs, and gourmet burgers
Clothing, haircuts, and other essential services
On-site voting for General and Local Body Elections
Art exhibitions, live performances, and creative workshops
Keynote remarks from Helen Robinson (Auckland City Missioner) and Pam Elgar ONZM (Lifewise Executive Chair)
Live music: Hip hop/reggae star Che Fu and artist Hools will perform from 12:45 pm, bringing a vibrant mix of pop, hip-hop, funk, and soul
Who Is This Event For?
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This event is open to everyone—but best positioned for adults, especially those who want to learn more about homelessness in Aotearoa and support positive change.
Programme Outline
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10:00 AM: Event opens, welcome and community gathering Keynote remarks from Helen Robinson, Auckland City Missioner
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Health checks, legal support, meals, showers, clothing, haircuts, art exhibitions, creative workshops, and voting available throughout the day
12:20 PM: Lunch served to whānau
12:45 PM: Live performance by Che Fu and Hools
1:45PM: Close Pam Elgar ONZM, Lifewise
2:00 PM: Event closes
Transport Advice
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Federal Square is centrally located in Auckland CBD and easily accessible by public transport, including buses and trains. Limited parking is available nearby, but we encourage attendees to use public transport or carpool where possible. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
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Where---Federal Square aka St Patricks Square, 43 Wyndham Street and Federal Street, Auckland City Centre
St Patricks Cathedral on Wyndham Street
And across the Road from the ANZ Centre on Federal Street.
When----Friday 10 October 2025---10am-2pm
Cost---Free
Contact--Lifewise
marketing@lifewise.org.nz
021 241 1839
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The Neighbourly team has been diving into a big question: should our curiosity take us up into space or down into the ocean?
It’s wild to think that more people have walked on the Moon than have reached the deepest point of the sea. Why is that?
Cupcake Day is back on Wednesday 29 October, and we need you!
Across New Zealand, animal lovers will be baking and selling cupcakes, raising funds to give vulnerable animals the second chances they deserve. Whether you host a morning tea, run a bake sale, or simply share treats with friends for… View moreCupcake Day is back on Wednesday 29 October, and we need you!
Across New Zealand, animal lovers will be baking and selling cupcakes, raising funds to give vulnerable animals the second chances they deserve. Whether you host a morning tea, run a bake sale, or simply share treats with friends for a donation, you’ll be part of a nationwide community making a real difference. Every cupcake counts so sign up today and help create a brighter future for animals in need.
There are about 3000 people across New Zealand receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65 - and three of them are not even 30.
Before 2020, it was possible for someone receiving NZ Super to add a non-qualifying partner.
This gives each person a payment of $787.58 a fortnight.
The option was removed … View moreThere are about 3000 people across New Zealand receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65 - and three of them are not even 30.
Before 2020, it was possible for someone receiving NZ Super to add a non-qualifying partner.
This gives each person a payment of $787.58 a fortnight.
The option was removed in 2020 but people who were already receiving the payment were allowed to remain on it.
Three are aged 25 to 29, six 30 to 34, nine 35 to 39 and 27 aged 40 to 44.
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The number is rounded to the nearest three.
The bulk of the 3003 non-qualifying partners aged under 65 are between between 60 and 64.
In 2019, there were 13,231 non-qualifying partners receiving the payment.
A Cabinet paper at the time of the change noted that the payment was income tested but there were no work obligations for either partner.
It said the change was made as part of a shift towards assessing the pension on an individual basis.
"Partners who are unable to access the NQP provision will continue to have access to the main benefit system - eg Jobseeker Support, Support Supported Living Payment, or Emergency Benefit."
But economist Shamubeel Eaqub said people who were in that position were worse off.
"Unemployment payments are a lot less than super payments."
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan agreed there was potential inequity between someone who had qualified for the higher payment because of their older partner, and someone who had not.
A person on JobSeeker Support at half the couple rate would get $307.42 before tax each week, compared to $476.47 for the NZ Super recipient.
Any additional income earned by the couple would reduce the JobSeeker entitlement but not the NZ Super payment.
Kiernan said about 2.5 percent of people aged 60 to 64 were on JobSeeker Support. That was a total of about 7800 people in August, compared to 8139 for 55 to 59-year-olds.
At the time of the change, the Retirement Policy Research Centre said there could be problems for couples if someone who was under 65 had to stop work to care for an older partner but could no longer access the same support.
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The countdown has begun! The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2025 returns to Tāmaki Makaurau this October with two incredible days of live music, dance and mouthwatering Indian food.
With so much to see and do, from free and ticketed events before and during the festival, visitors can enjoy … View moreThe countdown has begun! The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2025 returns to Tāmaki Makaurau this October with two incredible days of live music, dance and mouthwatering Indian food.
With so much to see and do, from free and ticketed events before and during the festival, visitors can enjoy activities in Aotea Square, on Queen Street, Rutland Street, within the Central City Library, and inside the Aotea Centre.
The festival itself is free to attend, and there are also ticketed performances and events to enjoy. The festival is a family-friendly, smoke-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian event.
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Where---Aotea Square, 291-297 Queen Street, Auckland City Centre 1010
When----Saturday 11 October 2025----Sunday 12 October 2025
Time----From 12pm-9pm
Cost----Free
Free Cultural Festival Food / Drink Music
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Police will be part of something special this weekend, supporting Auckland’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of The Special Olympics Games.
The games are to be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December this … View morePolice will be part of something special this weekend, supporting Auckland’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of The Special Olympics Games.
The games are to be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December this year.
Media is invited to attend the three exciting events in the Auckland area this weekend for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The events take place in central Auckland on Saturday and two venues in south Auckland on Sunday.
Media are welcome at all three events to take photos, video footage and conduct interviews with athletes and officers.
What: Law Enforcement Torch Run Auckland Central
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Where: Meet at Victoria Park at the intersection of Victoria Street West and Beaumont Street (Freemans Bay Auckland).
When: Saturday 11 October 2025 at 10am
Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police
What: Law Enforcement Torch Run for Auckland Central Police.
What: Law Enforcement Torch Run Weymouth, South Auckland
Where: Meet at Mountfort Park, 10 Sykes Road Weymouth (Opposite the swimming pools).
When: Sunday 12 October 2025 at 10am
Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police
What: First Law Enforcement Torch Run for Counties Manukau District.
What: Law Enforcement Torch Run Pukekohe, South Auckland
Where: Meet at Navigation Homes Stadium, (Lower car park), 21 Stadium Drive, Pukekohe.
When: Sunday 12 October 2025 at 2pm
Who: District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police
What: Second Law Enforcement Torch Run for Counties Manukau District.
Police contact: Inspector Mark Harrison 021 1907 805
Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239
Known as Guardians of the Flame, police members, along with Special Olympics athletes, will carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country to get local communities excited about the upcoming December Games.
Athletes, supporters and Police staff will assemble at the three different Auckland locations to run the flame.
“Lighting the Flame of Hope means that the games are just around the corner,” says Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey. The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run that starts in Northland on October 4 will travel all the way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the games start.
The countdown is on!
Inspector Rupert Friend, New Zealand Police says, “We are always proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
“The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms including Polar Plunges.
We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics.
We encourage all kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”
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Did you know that 93% of adults over the age of 65 have at least one chronic condition. And 79% have two or more. Our society is designed for able-bodied and healthy people, so it's no wonder that many people keep quiet when facing a chronic condition.
You might feel like you're the only… View moreDid you know that 93% of adults over the age of 65 have at least one chronic condition. And 79% have two or more. Our society is designed for able-bodied and healthy people, so it's no wonder that many people keep quiet when facing a chronic condition.
You might feel like you're the only person you know who needs a colostomy bag, or incontinence-wear, or a joint replacement, for example. But in New Zealand...
• approximately 7000 people have a colostomy bag,
• 50% of women aged 50-74 experience incontinence,
• and in 2023, there were 27,238 joint replacement procedures.
These numbers are not insignificant! So while you might not feel "normal" when living with a chronic condition, remember that you're certainly not "abnormal".
Regardless of what age you are, the only thing standing between being able-bodied or not is luck. Yes, we can take measures to stay healthy well into our later years, but our well-being is outside our control. It's time to normalise speaking out about topics that are often seen as hard to talk about, so people don't feel ashamed when trying to fit into a society that isn't designed for them.
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© Neighbourly 2025
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