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!
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
1 SLEEP TO GO HAMILTON
1 more sleep to go!!!!!!!!!! 🥰🥳🥳🥳
Elliott Park, Nawton Hamilton is the place to be tomorrow for the 11th year of the Annual Extravaganza in the Park Christmas Market 2025 We hope you can join us in this magical day.
What to Expect:
Live Music & a wide range of Entertainment
Pony Rides and Facepainting
Kids Market Stall Zone, Interactive stalls
Over 140 other Market Stalls
The Slush Truck
Delicious Food & Local Vendors from Hangi, Maori Kai and much more.....
Christmas Mini Photography Sessions - Capture your family in a photo from a great christmas gift this year.
Dont miss our special appearance from Santa stopping in from the North Pole to celebrate with us.
A great community vibe and day out
Extravaganza in the Park 2025
📍Where: Elliott Park, Hyde Ave Nawton Hamilton
📅 When: Sat 6th Dec 2025
⏰ 9am-2pm
Hospital ED new location of interest in measles spread
Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department is the latest location of interest for measles.
Two separate days in the last week were listed on Health NZ’s website on Friday morning as a place where someone with measles was known to have visited.
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