124 days ago

Poll: What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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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What are the living costs that are having the biggest (and perhaps surprising) impact on your wallet?
  • 43.5% Grocery bills
    43.5% Complete
  • 33% Utilities
    33% Complete
  • 1% Your treats (the ones that keep you human day to day, and are ESSENTIAL!)
    1% Complete
  • 0.1% Education
    0.1% Complete
  • 7.6% Healthcare
    7.6% Complete
  • 1.3% Travel (public transport/petrol)
    1.3% Complete
  • 7.9% Rent or mortgage
    7.9% Complete
  • 1.5% Social costs: birthday gifts and occasions
    1.5% Complete
  • 4.1% Other - share below!
    4.1% Complete
2582 votes
More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.1% Yes
    53.1% Complete
  • 46.9% No
    46.9% Complete
1633 votes
T
2 hours ago

Possessions sold as one lot

Teresa from Greerton - Parkvale

Morning everyone 😊

I am wanting to sell our mother's possessions as one lot and not individually; ive heard there are people who do this. .
Does anyone know of someone or where I might start?

18 hours ago

Appeal for information following fatal crash: Tāneatua

The Team from Bay of Plenty & Taupo Police

Police investigating a fatal crash in Tāneatua are seeking further information from members of the public who witnessed the crash, or any movements leading up to the crash, to assist with our enquiries.

Prior to the crash, Police can confirm the red Honda Accord was observed travelling on Reid Road in excess of the speed limit.

A Police vehicle travelling the other direction observed the vehicle at speed, however was unable to locate the vehicle as it travelled towards White Pine Bush Road.

Police believe there were two other vehicles near or on the Pekatahi Bridge at the time of the crash, and we’d like to speak to the occupants of those vehicles to understand what they saw.

Additionally, we’re still seeking information from anybody who saw a red Honda Accord travelling in and around Tāneatua between 5:30pm and 6pm on Tuesday 2 December.

If you have information, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 251202/5566.

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