Posts by The Press
1225 days ago

65-year-old says it's wrong she gets less NZ Super for being married

The Team Reporter from The Press

A married Christchurch woman says it is “ridiculous” she is paid less New Zealand Superannuation than someone who is single and living with another adult.

A married person gets a pension of $817.32 a fortnight, before tax, compared with the $990.20 received by a person sharing with someone who is not their spouse or partner.

“I have a friend who isn't in a relationship, but she's sharing a house, and they share all the expenses, and she's going to end up getting $172.88 more than me a fortnight which is just plain wrong,” said Daphne, who did not want her last name used for privacy concerns.

The combined fortnightly payment for a couple is $1634.64.

The Ministry of Social Development said people in a relationship were more likely to share a wider range of costs and resources than a single person living with another adult.

Read the full story here and tell us what you think in the comments below.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.5% Yes
    41.5% Complete
  • 33.7% Maybe?
    33.7% Complete
  • 24.8% No
    24.8% Complete
581 votes
2 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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24 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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