New Zealand
'We must be realistic': Council halves rates rise to ease cost of living pressure
Debt will be used to pay for some roading costs, the mayor says.
Latest from Cost of Living
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Energy security shift: Kiwis turn to EVs, solar and generators as bills bite
Kerikeri power prices sit about 20% above the national average.
Verona cafe owner owes more than $700k as liquidators move to sell
Liquidators found the company could not meet its tax and trading costs.
Live Budget Q&A: Audrey Young, Liam Dann and Jenée Tibshraeny answer your questions
Got questions about yesterday's Budget? Ask our senior politics and business journos.
'It’s really sad to hear': Waitangi’s iconic cafe closes its doors
Ben Dalton said falling domestic visits and fuel costs drove the decision.
SuperGold card becomes legal ID but seniors disappointed with Budget
Seniors have told the Herald they had hoped for relief from the high cost of living.
Global supply shortages deepen: The 7 products everybody wants
New York Times: After 3 months, the fallout from the Iran war is spreading.
OCR on hold for now: RBNZ warns rates will rise sooner than expected
The OCR will remain on hold - for now.
Richard Prebble: 'Credibility matters' – Why the Reserve Bank's next move is crucial
OPINION: Inflation has exceeded the top of the bank's target band since September.
Fears of ‘zombie’ town as Queenstown rents soar, but houses sit empty
Almost 30% of homes in the district sit empty for most of the year.
How much will we actually get in this Budget?
In this episode of The Economy of Everything, Liam Dann & Tamsyn Parker discuss the upcoming week in economics with the Budget and OCR decisions looming. Sponsored by CMC Markets.
‘Another headwind for growth’: ASB warns of wider cost shock from Middle East conflict
ASB says a quarter of the economy faces high exposure to shock arising from the Iran war.
Retail activity on the rise in March quarter
Retail sales volumes rose 0.9% in the March quarter, matching late 2025.
Opposition says Budget social housing shake-up will see tenants evicted
It lifts weekly support for 110,000 families by almost $15 but 80,000 will lose $30/week.
Dad who lives in tent with disabled kids says controversial benefit policy needs to change
A legal challenge is running so parents who share childcare equally can both receive help.
Uncertainty holds back business despite signs of resilience in new BPI survey
Agribusiness and Māori business leaders are now the most upbeat sectors.
Officials warn housing support shake-up threatens families' budgets for food and clothing
The Government says there have been no amendments to the scheme in more than 30 years.
More Kiwis raiding KiwiSaver in March as fuel, cost-of-living pressures hit households
Financial mentors are seeing a 'rush of demand' from those seeking financial help.
Will petrol still hit $5 a litre – or did we dodge a bullet?
The Economy of Everything podcast examines why the fuel apocalypse hasn't happened yet.
Households fear inflation could hit 5%
Reserve Bank's Household Expectations Survey shows deteriorating outlook.
Nato considers sending warships to free up the Strait of Hormuz
World leaders fear the strait’s continued closure is causing a cost-of-living crisis.
Editorial: Money's tight, keep the election promises focused on it
OPINION: Expect the pledges to lurch this year from what we've come to expect as normal.
The toxic issue facing Kiwi homes this winter – and how to fix it
Why does mould grow inside our homes and can we prevent it?
Kiwi company accused of withholding bonuses, Hurricanes tickets from striking union members
Workers allege they are being treated differently during attempts to get a living wage.
'Road to Damascus epiphany': Winston Peters takes aim at National, Act over immigration
Peters made the campaign announcement in Auckland before the Budget.
NZ First to campaign on buying back BNZ and making KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory at birth
The NZ First leader made the campaign announcement in Auckland before the Budget.
Elite Northern Club proposes crackdown on slow-paying members
Higher fees for members, and a name-and-shame system for defaulters are being considered
How discounted ‘surprise bags’ are helping to cut food waste
Food rescue app says it has saved more than 77,000 meals across NZ since October.
Fuel crunch fallout: Why analysts still think Air NZ can absorb more hits
How many more rounds can Air NZ go?
Afterpay profits surge as more Kiwis turn to buy now pay later
The result comes amid a restructuring plan that will cut jobs across the business.