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This is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in… View moreThis is a great way to celebrate our seniors who are leaving an amazing legacy for future generations. Let’s give a shoutout to those who have made a positive contribution to Aotearoa later in life, and who are still actively making the world around them a better place, following their careers in any service, sector or field.
Take a moment to nominate the deserving individuals in your life who are making a difference every day, either in our villages or in the wider community.
Follow the link below, and let’s make their stories known!
5 Week module starting Wed am 20th August or Friday pm 22nd August. For complete beginners or Intermediates. Small classes with a Tutor and we supply all in class materials. Last one for the year!
WHEN: Thursday 14 August 2025, 7:00pm to 9:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
WHERE: All Blacks Changing Rooms, Eden Park, Kingsland
Step into the legendary All Blacks changing rooms for a night of creativity, connection, and community at ‘Brushstrokes of Impact’, a fundraising event hosted by … View moreWHEN: Thursday 14 August 2025, 7:00pm to 9:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)
WHERE: All Blacks Changing Rooms, Eden Park, Kingsland
Step into the legendary All Blacks changing rooms for a night of creativity, connection, and community at ‘Brushstrokes of Impact’, a fundraising event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland. This exclusive paint-and-sip experience offers you the chance to find your inner artist inside one our most iconic sporting spaces. Whether you’re a rugby fan, art enthusiast, or just someone who believes in the power of mentoring, there’s something for you.
Hosted by Matilda Green, guests can enjoy a guided painting session with Kiwi artist Andrew J Steel – known for thought-provoking murals and street art – alongside a fundraising auction with some enticing prizes up for grabs (hello private Eden Park tour!) Nibbles will be provided, with all proceeds from the event going directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland!
Whether you’re flying solo, bringing a date, rallying your workmates, or catching up with friends, Brushstrokes of Impact promises a memorable night blending art, sport, and generosity. Spots are limited, so get your tickets!
KiwiSaver provider Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the increase started in 2023 and the reasons were easy to understand - the recession and cost-of-living crisis were putting ongoing pressure on people's budgets.
"But some context - the number of hardship withdrawals were… View moreKiwiSaver provider Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the increase started in 2023 and the reasons were easy to understand - the recession and cost-of-living crisis were putting ongoing pressure on people's budgets.
"But some context - the number of hardship withdrawals were 1.6 percent members, and 0.3 percent of savings. The hardship, as is true for the wider society, is concentrated pain among a few," Eaqub said.
Sorted's personal finance lead Tom Hartmann told Nine to Noon, it was likely the ability to withdraw from KiwiSaver was giving people "peace of mind" that if their situation worsened they could draw on their savings.
He said the average withdrawal was $8800.
For someone in their 30s, earning $75,000 a year, a withdrawal of that size in a year could reduce their not-inflation-adjusted final balance by about $40,000.
Hartmann said there had not been an increase in savings suspensions, which indicated that the withdrawal was a temporary stop gap for people who would get back to making contributions.
People can opt to stop contributing to KiwiSaver for a year at a time, and can renew the suspension at the end of the 12 months.
The number of people on a savings suspension had dropped from 89,000 a year ago to 85,000.
Hartmann said the key thing for people considering a withdrawal was to make it a last resort.
"Typically there are other sources of support that need to be explored first."
Financial helpline MoneyTalks was one option, he said.
"The team there have reporting seeing an increase in even middle-income people exploring their options."
Eaqub said for people making a withdrawal, it was often a choice between "certain hardship today versus more savings later in life".
But he said the situation was worse for those without KiwiSaver.
"Many low-income people do not contribute to KiwiSaver, because the employee contribution lowers their take home pay. But they also miss out on the employer contribution and government subsidies. It means when non-contributors face hardship, they do not have this fallback."
But Rupert Carlyon, founder of Koura KiwiSaver, said people on lower incomes could build up good balances.
"Someone earning $60,000 contributing 3 percent will end be putting in [about] $3500 per year, so over 10 years plus returns that really adds up.
"You can easily see a $60,000 salary becoming a $45,000 balance over 10 years. That is the power of KiwiSaver, we are often encouraging people to save that would not otherwise do it."
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Oppo Reno 8 Lite in good working order and near new condition. Surplus to my requirements as I just upgraded to a new phone. Contact Michael by text if you are interested on 0220498546
Supermarket pricing errors are widespread and yet another blow to people’s budgets. We need clear rules, stronger penalties and automatic compensation for shoppers when supermarkets get it wrong. It’s time to force supermarkets to get their pricing right.
Tell the government to introduce a … View moreSupermarket pricing errors are widespread and yet another blow to people’s budgets. We need clear rules, stronger penalties and automatic compensation for shoppers when supermarkets get it wrong. It’s time to force supermarkets to get their pricing right.
Tell the government to introduce a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code:
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***with clear pricing rules
***requiring supermarkets to automatically compensate consumers when pricing errors occur. For example, by requiring products be provided free of charge if the shelf price is cheaper than the scanned price, there is a special that doesn’t offer a genuine saving, or incorrect unit pricing.
***requiring your rights to be clearly disclosed both instore and online
***with infringement notice powers and much higher penalties (similar to those in Australia) for misleading pricing and promotions.
Time for action
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Recent Consumer NZ research found that 62% of New Zealanders noticed a pricing inaccuracy at the supermarket in the last year. And thanks to hundreds of examples you shared with us, in 2023 we laid a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission about Woolworths and Foodstuffs over misleading pricing and promotional practices. That complaint led to criminal charges being filed against Woolworths NZ and two Pak’nSave stores.
But the problem is these pricing issues haven’t stopped. And they won’t, unless the supermarkets face serious consequences.
We know that all the problems in the supermarket sector won’t be fixed overnight, but new rules will help stop dodgy pricing and promotional tactics, put money back in your pockets and send a strong signal to supermarkets to sort it out.
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The Red Cross Shop Onehunga needs your help to fill our beautiful space with furniture, homewares, and good quality clothing 🛌👚
You can drop them off during trading hours or our drivers can collect bigger items.
Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sundays 10 am to 5pm
We are located at 200 … View moreThe Red Cross Shop Onehunga needs your help to fill our beautiful space with furniture, homewares, and good quality clothing 🛌👚
You can drop them off during trading hours or our drivers can collect bigger items.
Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sundays 10 am to 5pm
We are located at 200 Onehunga Mall Road, Onehunga.
Please contact us on 096221565
Thank you for your support 😊
Our devices store so much personal information about us. So when it’s time to throw them away, how can we make sure they’re wiped clean?
Windows 10 support is due to expire in October and devices past this “best-before date” will not receive any fixes for new security issues.
Wayne Angus,… View moreOur devices store so much personal information about us. So when it’s time to throw them away, how can we make sure they’re wiped clean?
Windows 10 support is due to expire in October and devices past this “best-before date” will not receive any fixes for new security issues.
Wayne Angus, country manager for IT asset lifecycle management company Greenbox, says this poses “a potential ticking time bomb”, with an estimated 240 million PCs globally no longer able to be used securely after October.
He describes e-waste as “one of New Zealand's most underappreciated security environmental threats”, with Kiwis producing an estimated 80 million kilograms annually.
People underestimate the cyber security risk associated with how they dispose of their old phones and laptops
Greenbox country manager Wayne Angus says people underestimate the cyber security risk associated with how they dispose of their old phones and laptops.
Urban Miners salvaging electronic waste from landfill
“The major challenge is around the data and the security of data because the cyber hackers and the underbelly out there in the world are very, very clever at extracting information and data from disposed of devices,” Angus told Nine to Noon.
For those replacing their old tech or people simply wanting an upgrade, there are some key factors to consider before getting rid of your device.
Can people access my files if I’ve deleted them or factory reset?
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AUT department of computer and information sciences head Minh Nguyen says think of files like books.
“All [a factory reset] does is just clear off all the data of username, password, and the table, but all your books are still there. The book is only labelled ‘deleted’, but the written text inside the book is still there.”
Some Apple and Android phones automatically ‘encrypt’ data. This means a ‘key’ acts as a password, so your data cannot be read without it, he says. Performing a factory reset on these phones deletes that encryption key.
Using the ‘quick format’ tool on laptops and PCs also leaves behind traces, Nguyen says. That’s why the ‘full format’ option is slower, he says, it works by opening every page in that book and removing all traces.
“However, still, if you think about it in real life, they still leave some marks. People with some [high-level] tools, they still can recover whatever you deleted by the eraser. So even full format, sometimes it's not 100 percent safe.”
How far do you really need to go?
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Physically destroying CDs may be your best bet, Nguyen says. But for things like laptops, high-level software is available for deep data erasure on devices if there's sensitive information.123RF
If you’ve got super important data, you could go to a certified IT asset disposal company which will take your device back to the bare bones, Angus says.
“[Cyber criminals will] spend hours fiddling through a hard drive just to try and find that one bit of information that they might be able to use to get access to your corporate database or get into your network through a password.”
Alternatively, you could follow the guide from e-waste service TechCollect on how to use this high-level software. But Nguyen says if you haven’t stored sensitive data on your device, you could resort to the steps below.
“[Doing a data erasure] might take a few hours to wipe off one, and most people might not bother to do that.”
The steps you can take
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The National Cyber Security Centre recommends starting with backing up your files to a Cloud service or a storage device.
Smartphones / tablets: Nguyen says encrypt your data (you can usually find the steps on your manufacturer’s website), sign out of all your accounts, perform a factory reset (instructions should also be on your manufacturer’s website), and remove any SIM or SD card. “Whatever data left inside the phone is encrypted, and it's very, very difficult to decrypt.”
Smartwatch: Firstly, unpair it from your phone, perform a factory reset then remove any SIM card. “It should be safe because once you unpair from your phone then you don't have much data left. After you [do a] factory reset, I think it goes to the brand new condition.”
Gaming consoles / smart TVs: Log out and perform a factory reset. Don’t forget to remove any USB or SD cards plugged in.
Laptops / PCs: Encrypt the hard drive disk and do a full format (which you can find the tool for by searching in your settings). You can then physically remove the hard drive as an extra security measure. Nguyen notes most people are saving data on to their Cloud storage, so that’s where the increasing security risk is. Similarly, performing a full format on a USB or external hard drive removes data more than just deleting.
Modem: Modems store your password and some DNS and VPN settings. Nguyen recommends starting with a factory reset. There’s usually a tiny hole which you can press using a pin or paper clip for about 10 to 30 seconds to do this. This will reset your password and admin username to the default (both ‘admin’). Access the admin page by going to ‘192.168.1.1’ on your web browser. Login using the default admin username and password and “just change the admin password to be whatever you don't even remember”.
The back of a modem with two wires plugged in.
Modems have internal memory storages that holds data on your Wi-Fi, IP address and admin username and password.Unsplash / Stephen Phillips
DVDs / CDs / SIM cards: It’s best to physically destroy these by cutting or breaking them, Nguyen says.
Cameras: Perform a factory reset and format the internal hard drive along with the external SD card.
Don't leave old devices lying around
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Lithium-ion batteries also have an end of life. If left inside devices, they can swell and become a fire risk, Angus says.
“If you've got a device like a phone or a laptop, and you notice that the back of the device where the battery is hidden away on the inside is starting to bulge, then you've got a real risk and you need to make sure that you get that dealt with properly.”
What are my options for disposal?
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Check your local council for more information about e-waste collection services in your area.
TechCollect is a free service that offers e-waste drop-off collection points across the country for households and small businesses. They encourage people with working devices to contact the Recycle A Device programme – a not-for-profit organisation who collect and refurbish old laptops and tablets which are then given to people who need them.
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For 15 years, GrabOne has helped Kiwis save on everything from local experiences to relaxing getaways around New Zealand and beyond. With over 500,000 customers since 2010, we’re proud to have brought families, friends, and communities closer through fun things to do and places to explore.
To … View moreFor 15 years, GrabOne has helped Kiwis save on everything from local experiences to relaxing getaways around New Zealand and beyond. With over 500,000 customers since 2010, we’re proud to have brought families, friends, and communities closer through fun things to do and places to explore.
To celebrate this milestone, we’re giving Neighbourly readers $15 off their next purchase on the GrabOne website. Minimum spend $75.
Discover limited daily deals, flash sales with unbeatable prices, and activities in your own backyard. Plus, keep an eye out for 15 special giveaways happening across our social pages this month.
Thanks for supporting GrabOne over the years. Here’s to even more great experiences to come!
Valid till 31st August 2025 use code NEIGHBOURLY at checkout.
Treck Swivel Leather Armchair. Bought from bradfords and not much used. Down size the house hence to sell. Pick up is from Mt Eden.
The island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.
Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its … View moreThe island nation of New Zealand claims guardianship over a vast ocean territory. In fact, our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 15 times our land area. Despite this, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected.
Sheridan Waitai, member of One Oceania, argues that New Zealand is failing its obligations, and our failure is being noticed internationally.
Sheridan and others argue that the health of our oceans is declining as they face climate change, overfishing, and pollution. While other nations are championing ocean protection, New Zealand has been quiet on this topic.
We want to know: Are we meeting our responsibilities in the management of our blue territory?
The statistics: The latest annual report by the Assisted Dying Registrar, published last week, showed the number of active applications for assisted dying rose by 20% in the past year. That statistic alarmed advocacy group Voice for Life, which noted the increase was occurring at a time when the … View moreThe statistics: The latest annual report by the Assisted Dying Registrar, published last week, showed the number of active applications for assisted dying rose by 20% in the past year. That statistic alarmed advocacy group Voice for Life, which noted the increase was occurring at a time when the workforce involved in the Assisted Dying Service was shrinking.
The analysis: New Zealand’s assisted dying regime is still relatively young and cases were always predicted to rise gradually each year before stabilising, meaning year-on-year increases are to be expected at this stage. Assisted deaths made up 1.25% of all deaths in NZ over the same period, which is in line with Ministry of Health predictions. In countries where assisted dying is more established, assisted deaths typically make up around 2% of all deaths.
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We're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.
But this year it's a little different!
This year we're calling on … View moreWe're looking for your most colourful photos! Resene ColorShops and Neighbourly have teamed up again this winter to bring you Bright Spots, a celebration of the colourful spaces and places in your life.
But this year it's a little different!
This year we're calling on Neighbourly members to share photos wherever there's a bright spot that brings you joy - whether it's in the office, at your home or when you're out and about in your neighbourhood. If it brings a smile to your face we'd love to see it.
Share a photo that brings a little colour to your day and you could win one of ten prize packages valued at $500 (including a $250 Prezzy® card and a $250 Resene gift card).
House located on a FULL section. Independent entrance and privacy. Granny flat to rent self contained with kitchen, bathroom and toilet and 1 additional room, in Lynfield Auckland (Next to countdown). Quiet neighborhood. Unit is fully paneled and very clean. $ 270/ per week plus internet and power … View moreHouse located on a FULL section. Independent entrance and privacy. Granny flat to rent self contained with kitchen, bathroom and toilet and 1 additional room, in Lynfield Auckland (Next to countdown). Quiet neighborhood. Unit is fully paneled and very clean. $ 270/ per week plus internet and power sharing. Suit a couple. Or a single person. Or 2 people
Washing machine is brand new
Toilet and bathroom is just renovated
2 weeks advance rent adjustable and 2 weeks bond with Tenancy Services. Close to 25L bus stop to the city and 191 to New Lynn. Handy to countdown Lynfield and Lynfield Tennis and YMCA Lynfield. No Time wasters please.
No pets.
The kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. … View moreThe kākāpō, our famously lovable but critically endangered land-parrot, are forecast to have a massive breeding season in 2026 - perhaps the biggest on record!
How do we know? Kākāpō only 'get busy' during rimu mast events (where rimu grow heaps of fruit), every 2-4 years. Because we can anticipate rimu mast events, and kākāpō love rimu fruit, we can predict kākāpō breeding activity.
Since there are only 242 kākāpō today, this bumper season is important.
This positive outlook on population numbers is especially exciting since, due to the mahi of conservationists, the kākāpō have completed their first season on the North island (at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari). The booming of the kākāpō has not been heard on the North Island of Aotearoa for over a century!
Read more about Aotearoa's flightless parrot and their nesting plans.
We hope this news brings a smile!
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