Poll: What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?
Butter, power bills, and those sneaky surcharges on your card ... it feels like everything’s creeping up in price lately. We’ve seen the headlines, but we want to hear it from you.
Overall, Most Kiwis say they’re ‘not prospering’. But, according to Retirement Commission data, some members of our community (women, Māori, and Pacific people) are experiencing worsening financial positions at elevated rates.
Stats NZ tells us that food prices have jumped 4.6% since this time last year, with meat and dairy doing most of the damage. This jump is hitting us all, but groceries are just one part of the picture.
When basic costs keep climbing, the old cost-saving tricks — like bulk-buying or stockpiling on sale — don’t always work. Who can afford to spend more upfront when every dollar already has a job?
We want to know: What costs have caught you off guard the most? What are the expenses that feel impossible to juggle right now?
Share your thoughts below!
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43.5% Grocery bills
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33% Utilities
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1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)
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0.1% Education
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7.6% Healthcare
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1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)
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7.9% Rent or mortgage
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1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions
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4.1% Other - share below!
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
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!
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SHOP LOCAL THIS XMAS - FARMERS MARKET SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS MASTERTON
Come along to our Farmers Market & Crafts held EVERY Saturday Rain or Shine
YES we are open on the 27th December 2025
BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALONG FOR MORNING TEA AND COFFEE, AND HAVE A BROWSE AROUND OUR WONDERFUL MARKET
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
DANIEL’S SPUDS are back at the market this week. Agria potatoes freshly dug this week.
And of course, there is always lots on offer: Hot Food, fresh Coffee, Fresh Vege stall, Yummy Honey, fresh bread to name just a few.
We have a fabulous array of creative gifts on display and available for purchase.
Don’t miss the awesome Paua art, wooden toys, embroidered tea towels, olive oil, Crocheted toys, woollen items to mention just a few
We even have live music to get your toes tapping and we are always ready for a friendly chat. For a great day out or an early morning visit we have something for everyone.
We have a new Facebook page:
Wairarapa Farmers Market 2025 - have a look and view our newsletter for this week.
We also have a Eftpos terminal where you can access cash for your Farmers Market purchases. Come and have a look, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
Look forward to seeing you.
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