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A group of Russian tourists stranded in New Zealand have been given just $50 to tide them over. Whe…
After listening to various people speaking either on television or radio and reading various articles from so many different reliable sources, I am so surprised at how many couch experts we have in various blogs, websites etc ...
As Jacinda so correctly said this morning (while putting Duncan … View moreAfter listening to various people speaking either on television or radio and reading various articles from so many different reliable sources, I am so surprised at how many couch experts we have in various blogs, websites etc ...
As Jacinda so correctly said this morning (while putting Duncan Garner in his place), "I didn't realise you were an epidemiologist - congratulations on your new qualification"
Even though this may have been a tad immature, I am sure that she (like so many of us) is fed up to our back teeth with all of these so called experts demanding that we rapidly descend to a lower level faster than we should be, all because they seem to think that they know best.
If we bend to the will of these couch experts, then we will find ourselves back into lockdown, just like quite a few countries are doing as I write this.
Is this hard on us? Yes
Are we over this dreadful scenario? Yes
Is this hard on the economy? Yes
Do we want to beat this and come through the other side without slipping back to Level 4? Yes
So, we do need to be strong, help one another, be supportive and not judgemental of those who are tasked to making the really hard decisions. We wouldn't be able to walk a mile in their shoes, let alone make these hard decisions lightly with a whole nation breathing down our necks.
The wonderful analogy I came across is perfect for this time.
"The curve is flattening; we can starting lifting restrictions now"
which is the same as saying, " The parachute has slowed our rate of descent; we can now take it off"
BE PATIENT FOLKS - WE CAN REALLY DO THIS👍❤
TRUST THE EXPERTS and not the couch experts.
We are (very) excited to say that the May issue of NZ Gardener is on sale today, and absolutely packed with the good stuff! Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown (with plenty of idea on what you can sow and grow in May); there's a bumper gardening quiz; we … View moreWe are (very) excited to say that the May issue of NZ Gardener is on sale today, and absolutely packed with the good stuff! Lynda Hallinan reflects on 60 lessons for gardeners from the lockdown (with plenty of idea on what you can sow and grow in May); there's a bumper gardening quiz; we suggest five herbs to reduce anxiety and promote calmness; and visit a Taupo sanctuary full of art and alive with native birds and a wild and wonderful garden in Glenorchy. And since we've been gardening in isolation, Jack Hobbs talks to gardeners on the Chatham Islands about how they keep things growing, 650km from the nearest garden centre. Normally our subscribers get their copy before it goes on sale, of course, but things aren't quite normal right now so if your copy hasn't arrived yet, it should be with you very soon! We are so pleased to have a new issue of your favourite magazine for you, and I cannot wait to hear what you think. NZ Gardener has been informing and inspiring New Zealand gardeners for more than 75 years and we're incredibly grateful to our readers, especially our subscribers, because we couldn't do it without you. And by the way subscribing is easy and a much cheaper way to get your magazine each month! And would an NZ Gardener sub make a great Mother's Day gift this Sunday, you ask? I think we all know the answer to that! Jo
Amidst allegations of price gouging and shortage of items from antibacterial products to baking products such as flour, Newshub compared the prices of 15 items at PAK'nSave, New World and Countdown on April 25 and May 6.
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The comparison … View moreAmidst allegations of price gouging and shortage of items from antibacterial products to baking products such as flour, Newshub compared the prices of 15 items at PAK'nSave, New World and Countdown on April 25 and May 6.
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The comparison shows that shopping at PAK'nSave is cheapest, costing $57 on May 6, a saving of $7.36 compared to Countdown and $6.24 for New World. The same group of items would cost $63.24 at New World and $64.36 at Countdown, if bought on the same day. Between the two dates, eight items at PAK'nSave were between 10c and $1.10 more expensive on May 8, a total of $2.21 more. Two items had dropped in price, costing a total of $1.30 less. The net difference is a 91c increase on May 6 across the 15 items (a total cost of $56.09 on April 25 and $57 on May 6). With the exception of coco pops and olivani spread, Countdown prices were the same between the two dates. The net difference is a 51c saving on May 6. At New World, two items cost less on May 6 and three items cost more. There is no net difference ($1.70 saved and $1.70 increase). Examples of items found to be cheaper at PAK'nSave across both dates were breakfast cereal (Kellogg's coco pops and Sanitarium muesli), body wash (Palmolive milk & honey), Jif cream cleanser and Anchor milk. Of the items that increased in price between April and May, just three were priced higher at PAK'nSave than at New World or Countdown (cucumber telegraph, Jif and Chef cat food). We asked a group of shoppers which supermarket they prefer and found that their responses were divided. "PAK'nSave is cheaper, they also re-pack your groceries into a trolley," Karen said.
"[I go to] PAK'nSave for the main shop, Countdown for top-ups or the odd thing I can never find (only because Countdown's closer to home)," Angelique said. "Normally I go to Countdown, but buy the specials which saves us more than going to PAK'nSave. I have regularly found the produce to be fresher at Countdown [and] I have a OneCard and get $15 back every so often," Bee said. "We did a comparison and bought the same things a week apart from Countdown and PAK'nSave and found the difference to be about $30," Sue added. "I like New World: great supply of gluten-free alternative products and staff are great," said Carol. Antoinette Laird, Head of Corporate Affairs, Foodstuffs New Zealand said that price gap comparisons are made throughout the year, which enables the company to maintain it's offer of 'New Zealand's lowest food prices'. "Our most recent comparison was conducted in mid-February. On 11 February, one customer did her shop at PAK’nSave Moorhouse. The same customer then completed her same shop at Countdown Moorhouse. She saved $29.73 by shopping at PAK’nSave," Laird said. On 14 February a different customer shopped at PAK’nSave Silverdale, and then at Countdown Silverdale. She saved $40.98." Some customers may prefer the quality and range available at other supermarkets, while price-conscious customers are likely to find PAK'nSave their main go-to. "No in-store frills means we’re able to keep costs low and pass the savings onto our customers," Laird added.
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Fifteen grocery items compared on Sat 25 Ap (lockdown) and Wednesday 06 May (alert level 3):
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Coco pops original 375g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $6.50, PAK'nSave $4.99, New World $6.49
Price change 6/5/20: Countdown $5.00, New World $4.99
Watties mild chilli beans 420g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $2.60, PAK'nSave $2.29, New World $2.59
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.39
Arnotts cruskits rice 125g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.50, PAK'nSave $2.69, New World $3.29
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.79
Jif cleaner cream regular 375g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.49, PAK'nSave $2.89 (lemon only), New World $2.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.09 (reg/lemon)
Diamond Rice Risotto chicken 200g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.00, PAK'nSave $2.79, New World $2.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.89
Pringles original tube 134g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $3.40, PAK'nSave $2.99, New World $3.49
Price change 6/5/20: New World $3.29
Celery bunch whole:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $4.50, PAK'nSave $4.49, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.29
Cucumber telegraph:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $1.80, PAK'nSave $2.19, New World $2.59
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $3.29, New World $2.99
Tip Top supersoft sandwich 700g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $3.20, PAK'nSave $3.09, New World $3.19 (toast only)
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.99, New World $3.59 (toast only)
Chef Classic cat food jellymeat can 690g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $3.00, PAK'nSave $2.79, New World $2.79
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $2.99
Tegel frozen chicken 950g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.00, PAK'nSave $5.25, New World $7.00 (non-frozen) Price change 6/5/20: none
Palmolive naturals milk and honey 500ml:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.00, PAK'nSave $3.99, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: PAK'nSave $4.30
Sanitarium natural muesli with fruit and 5 grains 625g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown $6.99, PAK'nSave: $4.99, New World $4.99
Price change 6/5/20: New World $5.89
Olivani olive oil spread 500g:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $4.00 (special), PAK'nSave: $3.89,
New World: $3.99
Price change 6/5/20: Countdown $4.99, PAK'nSave: $3.99
Anchor milk standard blue 3l:
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25/4/2020: Countdown: $6.89, PAK'nSave $6.77, New World: $6.87
Price change 6/5/20: no change
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*Prices were compared at Countdown Three Kings (Mt Eden or Blockhouse Bay if item not available), PAK'nSave Royal Oak and New World Mt Roskill. Home brands were not included due to the inability to compare across supermarkets.
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A woman who died after being hit by a train waited for one to pass but failed to see another coming …
Elite New Zealand schools have claimed millions through the Government's wage subsidy, many of them while still charging full fees to students. Schools collecting full tuition fees said they were suffering as badly as any exposed business during the Covid-19 pandemic because they had lost … View moreElite New Zealand schools have claimed millions through the Government's wage subsidy, many of them while still charging full fees to students. Schools collecting full tuition fees said they were suffering as badly as any exposed business during the Covid-19 pandemic because they had lost income from international students and boarding fees. They still expected to make at least a 30 per cent loss, the threshold required to make the subsidy. However, at least one of the schools is now paying the money back after it overestimated the losses it would make. State schools are not eligible for the subsidy because the Government has guaranteed the wages of their staff. Private schools, on the other hand, are run as businesses and could apply if they expected a financial hit. A Ministry of Social Development database shows 21 private schools have claimed a total of $11.7m in wage subsidies so far. Most of them claimed the subsidy to cover the wages of non-teaching staff such as those in boarding houses or swimming schools. Others made much larger applications which included wages for teaching staff.
St Cuthbert's College in Auckland claimed $1.92 million for 302 staff members. It was still charging full fees during lockdown - between $20,000 and $25,000 a year for domestic students - though boarding fees had been reduced. Students were getting a "premium" online teaching service at home. "Our loss of revenue predictions at the outset of the lockdown were not based around any reduction in fees to parents," the school said through a spokeswoman. "They were based around a worst-case scenario of 30 per cent loss of revenue. This was predicted to be reduced revenue from our swim school, boarding, conferences and facility hire, and a roll decline." There was significant uncertainty about the scale and the length of the pandemic when it first arrived in this country, the school said. But six weeks later, it no longer expected a 30 per cent loss. St Cuthbert's had not spent any of the subsidy and planned to pay back "the bulk" of it. Some of the money would be kept because the swimming school had closed and the boarding facility expected to lose 30 per cent of its revenue.
Scots College in Wellington is also charging full fees, which run up to $22,000 a year. It claimed $1.2 million from the wage subsidy. The school did not respond to a request for comment. Private schools with a large number of international students or boarders had suffered particularly badly during the Covid-19 outbreak because the students had returned home and boarding schools had been forced to close. Dale Burden, principal of St Peter's School in Cambridge, said international students made up around 7 per cent of the school's roll. Some were stuck overseas when the lockdown was enforced, and others returned home. His school expected to lose "30 per cent and more" of its revenue and had claimed $2.15 million through the wage subsidy scheme.
It had also lost revenue by scrapping boarding fees (around $15,000 a year), its swim school, letting fees and business courses. The school had reduced tuition fees for students, Burden said, although some parents had insisted on paying their full fees and having the difference donated to a hardship fund for struggling families. The school charges between $19,000 and $25,000 for domestic students, and twice that amount for international students. Diocesan School for Girls claimed $174,000 for 38 staff. In a newsletter to parents, principal Heather McRae said this was to cover the costs of the swimming facility and boarding school, which were forced to close under the Covid-19 lockdown. The school was no longer charging boarders but had to cover the staff wages for the boarding facility - around $33,000. The school was still charging fees to students ($20,000-$24,000) and was providing intensive online classes. Families who had been financially hit by the lockdown could apply for relief, McRae said. Other top schools including King's College do not appear to have claimed the subsidy. It was also available to state-integrated schools, such as religious or "special character" schools. The Government has paid out more than $10 billion through the wage subsidy scheme.
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In these challenging times, we are forever thankful and grateful to all of those dedicated and extremely hardworking essential workers who have being working so hard on the front line and behind the scenes.
◾ All of the nurses and doctors who give every single ounce of themselves to keep us … View moreIn these challenging times, we are forever thankful and grateful to all of those dedicated and extremely hardworking essential workers who have being working so hard on the front line and behind the scenes.
◾ All of the nurses and doctors who give every single ounce of themselves to keep us alive.
◾ All of the first responders who work ungodly hours to try and keep us safe & alive.
◾ All of the supermarket workers and shelf stackers who work under such trying times.
◾ All of the truck drivers who get our products to the supermarkets.
◾ All of the farmers who work tirelessly to make sure that we all have enough meat, milk, fruit & veggies to feed our loved ones.
◾ All of the postal workers who make sure the mail (bills) get through in time.
◾ All of the rubbish truck drivers and collectors for keeping out streets clean.
◾ All of those workers working behind the scenes, busying themselves packing up our goods that we have ordered online.
◾ All of those incredible workers who are in the assisted living field.
◾ All of the courier workers who deliver our goods to us.
◾ All of those people who are caring for all of the animals including the zoos
But let's not forget two very important groups either, they are:
◾ The various telcos who have kept on working to make sure that we have access to the internet and phones, thus allowing us to keep in touch with our loved ones and being able to order online.
◾ All of the power companies that have continued to provide power with the increased load in these times.
This has allowed us all to watch what we want on T.V. or computers etc ... as well as keeping up with the news and also to keep our wee ones amused with all of their various gadgets.
Fingers crossed there won't be any blackouts with this wet weather here as well as the colder temperatures kicking in.
To all of us for mostly not losing our minds while in lockdown.
Let's not forget that our kindness and compassion that we are well known for worldwide, has shown through in spades.
Well done everyone. Keep up the good work.
We can do this people, we really can.
As Jacinda said, "Stay the course, stay in your bubble and don't squander what we have achieved by giving the virus a chance it will only too readily accept if we do that."
To EVERY single person who has been working behind the scenes to keep us all safe and be able to continue living our 'new normal' lives, 💕THANK SO VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS AND KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK YOU ARE ALL DOING💕
More than a wine guide...Thank you Bob Campbell MW. We really appreciate your support!
Bob Campbell MW is New Zealand's leading wine writer.
Article by - The Real Review
When children discover fun in Maths, they learn the building blocks to think critically to solve any problem. We all know that maths underpins our everyday lives … be it when scoring a sports game, baking a cake or counting down the weeks, days or even hours until the end of the school year! Here… View moreWhen children discover fun in Maths, they learn the building blocks to think critically to solve any problem. We all know that maths underpins our everyday lives … be it when scoring a sports game, baking a cake or counting down the weeks, days or even hours until the end of the school year! Here are 7 creative ways to thread maths into your child’s day to day activities, to spark a love of numbers:
Head over to our blog.
The death of a person who was hit by a train at a West Auckland railway crossing is believed to be a…
Hi Neighbours,
If you have ordered a parcel to be delivered by courier during lockdown, Stuff/Homed would love you to take part in this short poll please. We would like to know if you have had problems with the theft of courier parcels (not just delays) from your letterbox or porch, or if this not… View moreHi Neighbours,
If you have ordered a parcel to be delivered by courier during lockdown, Stuff/Homed would love you to take part in this short poll please. We would like to know if you have had problems with the theft of courier parcels (not just delays) from your letterbox or porch, or if this not been an issue. If you would like to add detail or comment, please email me. Thank you.
Hi Neighbours, Would you rather have a Big Mac or Flat White, or new infrastructure and amenities for your rates dollars. In a recent Neighbourly poll 83.3 per cent opted for a rates freeze. Is that best for Auckland? Read the story below:
While your teenager has got some time at home, why not encourage them to study for their driver license and become a great kiwi driver! Register your teen on Drive App for all the information they need to know about the Learner License Programme. We also offer workshops to help you along the way. … View moreWhile your teenager has got some time at home, why not encourage them to study for their driver license and become a great kiwi driver! Register your teen on Drive App for all the information they need to know about the Learner License Programme. We also offer workshops to help you along the way. Learn more and take the quiz to be into win three free driving lessons.
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