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Consumer NZ finds some car insurance premiums have almost doubled since 2023

Source: Consumer NZ

Car insurance premiums have surged in the past 2 years but switching providers could save you hundreds of dollars, says Consumer NZ.

Vanessa Pratley, investigative writer at Consumer NZ, says its annual car insurance survey found premiums have increased by as much as 46% since 2023.  

Pratley points to inflation and extreme weather events as factors driving up the cost of insurance across the board, but another contributing factor is your age and life stage.

“Every insurer will base its premiums on risk. How much you pay will depend on things like whether you live in a flood-prone area, the car you drive, and even your age and gender.  

“And because not all insurers are equal – which is to say they use their own risk assessments – you might be more or less of a risk to one provider or another.

“You can switch insurance providers any time (though there might be cancellation fees), and that could potentially reward you with hundreds of dollars in annual savings.”

Toot if your premium’s up!

Consumer’s survey found young males will pay more in car insurance premiums than older people or young females. And older females could pay more than older males – depending on the insurer.  

“When we compared the costs for four different age brackets across nine insurance providers, we found annual savings ranged quite significantly – between $481 and $1,296.

“Since 2023, the lowest median increase was just 0.6% for a family of four living in Auckland, and the highest median increase was 46% for young males living in Christchurch.

“If the cost to insure your car is stressing you out right now, don’t cancel your cover or drop down to third-party – shop around and see what savings you could make first.”

Switch to a lane you can afford

Other than switching providers, Pratley explains some policies may look similar but cover very different things.

“‘Standard’ cover with one insurer will be an optional extra with another insurer.

“You might find your insurance policy includes towing expenses or key replacements as part of its standard offering. But if you very rarely park in the city and never lose your keys, you might be paying more than you need.

“Take the time to compare what’s on offer and consider whether switching plans or providers would get you back to a policy you can afford.”

Get a steer on satisfaction

As well as crunching the numbers on the cost of car insurance premiums, Consumer surveys car insurance customers about how satisfied they are with their current provider.  

“No one takes out insurance cover for fun. It’s an important financial safety net, for example, if you accidentally swing your car into a parked Tesla. If the right protection isn’t in place for you, you could find yourself in a real pickle.

“The experience you get from your insurance provider, especially how they treat you, should be an important consideration, too. We’re pleased to announce that FMG and MAS received Consumer’s People’s Choice award for car insurance this year.”

To help New Zealanders independently compare insurance providers’ cover, our team has crunched the details on comprehensive car insurance policies: https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fhddkjk-ijjdkdttjk-j/

Notes

We got quotes from nine companies for comprehensive car insurance for four profiles. More information about our methodology, and the paywalled results, are available on our website: Car insurance – compare policies: https://consumernz.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fhddkjk-ijjdkdttjk-t/

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

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Local News – Porirua Careers Expo a huge hit

Source: Porirua City Council

Te Rauparaha Arena was jam-packed for the second Porirua Careers Expo on Tuesday.
More than 3300 rangatahi from across the city, and wider afield, came through the Arena during the day, taking up the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and education providers and potentially kickstart their career journey.
There were 90 exhibitors spread out through the main stadium, representing construction and trades, education, tech and professional, Government and health. These included BRANZ, Porirua and Whitby New World supermarkets, Wellington Free Ambulance, Whittaker’s, Le Fale Jobs and Skills Hub, MSD, TechStep, BCITO, TradeMe, NZ Police and Mexted Turf.
Aotea College Year 13 student Emma Dullabh said it was a fantastic day out.
“It was so cool to see how passionate the stall holders were about their work, and how happy they were to answer questions. It made the day really enjoyable and I was really inspired. Everyone looked like they were having a great time,” she said.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the serious side of the expo – opening doors and inspiring young people – was offset by a fun atmosphere with MC Nate Lopa and the Cook Island drummers, along with attendees having the opportunity to win one of either $500 Prezzy cards courtesy of Tranquil IT.
“This is the second year Porirua has hosted a Careers Expo and all the feedback has been wonderful, as our rangatahi get a look into what opportunities await them once they leave school,” Mayor Baker said.
“My congratulations to organisers, exhibitors and schools for the work that went in to make this event happen.”
Some of the feedback collated from stallholders included:
“There was an exceptional amount of people, the children were engaged and really well prepared.”
“I had between 45 and 50 engagements and was able to connect with some secondary schools I haven’t been able to connect with in the past.”
“While we weren’t actively recruiting on the day, our aim was just to be out in the community making ourselves known. We wanted to teach students more about us and engage with them – this was a huge success.”
“We had some fabulous conversations with young people about the industry.”
“We had over 50 enquiries for our apprenticeships/pre-trades, with 30 turning into actionable leads.”
“Love the students being engaged and exploring ideas.”
“Overall, the organisers should feel very proud – it was a well-executed and impactful day.”
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Government Cuts – Govt squeeze on funding will see another 68 roles go at DOC

Source: PSA

The Government’s squeeze on funding public services will see a hollowing out of the Department of Conservation’s Regional Operations teams around the country.
In a change proposal released today, DOC is proposing to use natural attrition to cut 68 team leader level roles over the next few years, about five per cent of the 1350-strong Regional Operations workforce.
Of the 68 roles, 29 are already vacant and 39 staff in other roles will not be replaced when they leave.
DOC worked with the PSA to manage the proposed change to ensure every current staff member could continue to have a job.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the proposal will see a hollowing out of DOC’s regional conservation capability over time.
“The proposals would see DOC lose valuable skills and knowledge across the country.
“The changes are being forced on DOC to do more within the Government’s overly tight funding for conservation. We should be investing more, not less, in conservation in regional New Zealand. The Government has chosen to fund tax breaks for landlords over properly funding vital conservation work.
“The Government talks a big game about growing the economy yet wants to shackle DOC, which plays such an important role in boosting tourism, our second biggest export earner.
“The PSA is concerned that the reduction in the number of roles over time may see the remaining staff carrying a higher workload,” Fitzsimons said.
The proposal said the approach would save $5 million from DOC’s regional operations budget of $170 million.
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End to the American War on Vietnam Remembered 50 years on

Source: Workers First Union

MEDIA RELEASE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON VIETNAM
The 50th anniversary of the end of the War on Vietnam will be commemorated in Wellington on Friday, 16 May 2025.
30 April 1975 saw the “fall of Saigon” that brought an end to this horrendous war.
Former members and supporters of the Wellington Committee on Vietnam (CoV) and associated groups such as Release All Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (RAVPOC), the Organisation to Halt Military Service (OMHS) and Medical Aid for Vietnam have been invited to the gathering. Younger and current anti-war activists have also been invited.
The gathering has been called by former chairs of the Wellington Committee of Vietnam in the early 1970s, Michael Law and Robert Reid, and will include an “Extraordinary Special Meeting of the CoV” to mark the occasion.
The events will be held at the National Library in Molesworth Street, Wellington.
From 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm Friday 16 May the Alexander Turnbull Library will have some of its archived material on anti-war protests on display (especially from the Rona Bailey Collection).
At 5.00 pm the reunion meeting will take place in the Malaga Pasifika Room of the National Library.
The events will remember the brave struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence, the horrific action and atrocities of the US and allied forces in Vietnam and the protest activity that took place against the war on Vietnam in New Zealand in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Government Cuts – Children pay price of Oranga Tamariki contracting fiasco – Auditor-General issues damning indictment of Govt cuts

Source: PSA

The Auditor-General’s report into Oranga Tamariki’s provider contracts lays bare the reckless way the Government ordered cuts without regard to how children would be harmed.
In 2023 the Government ordered a 6.5% cut of Oranga Tamariki’s overall funding, triggering a chaotic review of contracts with hundreds of community service providers – some even told their contracts would end with only days’ notice last year.
“The report confirms what we have said all along – the Government has totally botched its rushed spending cuts with little regard to the consequences – children are the casualties of these decisions,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The report says ‘its decisions were not adequately informed by evidence of how they would affect children and their families. The effects of decisions on children and their families are still not known. Given that this is the core role of Oranga Tamariki, it is unacceptable’.
“It’s staggering that the Government can order an organisation that supports some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable tamariki and rangatahi, and their whānau to make such bad decisions.
“Without doubt children will have been impacted as providers had to stop services or move children to other service providers at short notice – it’s just not good enough when the welfare of children should be at the heart of these decisions.
“This all speaks to the cruel nature of the Government’s decisions which put saving money to fund tax cuts ahead of supporting vulnerable children.
“The Government promised no impacts on frontline services – this report again exposes this lie as we have seen throughout the public service. There is nothing more frontline than protecting children.
“The PSA is still awaiting a response from the Auditor-General about whether he will investigate cuts at Health New Zealand which also impact frontline health services – this report means he should.
“The chickens are coming home to roost as we warned they would. Without doubt in the months and years ahead we will see more damage that the Government is inflicting on frontline services from these short-sighted cuts. More New Zealanders will pay the price – it’s unacceptable.”
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First Responders – Winslow hay bale fire update #1

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a large fire involving hay bales in Winslow, Ashburton around 11.30pm last night.
Incident Controller Carrie Swanson says that at its peak, the fire was fought by 11 fire crews and additional support staff.
“Thanks to the hard mahi of our crews, no other structures were damaged besides the two hay sheds,” she says.
“The fire was contained to this property, and no others are currently threatened.
“The fire began to decrease in size around midday today, but it is large and deep-seated, and will take some time to cool and extinguish completely.”
Crews will continue to work on the fire overnight and into the next few days, Carrie Swanson says.
“Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in the area, as this is to be expected,” she says.
“If you’re in the vicinity and are concerned, stay inside and keep doors and windows closed.”
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Stats NZ information release: Births and deaths: Year ended March 2025

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Births and deaths: Year ended March 2025 – 15 May 2025 – Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented elsewhere that relate to all births and deaths registered in New Zealand or to births and deaths occurring during a given period.

Key facts
In the year ended March 2025 compared with the year ended March 2024:

  • there were 58,539 live births registered, up from 56,277
  • there were 37,647 deaths registered, little changed from 37,623
  • the total fertility rate was 1.58 births per woman, up from 1.54
  • the infant mortality rate was 6.0 deaths per 1,000 live births, up from 3.8 per 1,000 (the increase is a result of a high number of late registrations during this period, see Births and deaths: Year ended December 2024 (including abridged period life table)).

Files:

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Government Cuts – PSA strongly opposes decisions released by Health NZ – further dismantling of our public health system by Government

Source: PSA

The PSA strongly opposes final decisions released by Health New Zealand for the following teams: Procurement, Supply Chain and Health Technology Management (PSC&HTM), Planning, Funding and Outcomes, and Audit, Assurance & Risk.
“These decisions include the possible loss of specialists procurement, auditing and health innovation and improvement,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said.
“The possible loss of these roles has been forced on Health NZ by the Government imposing cuts to our health system that will affect patients. We call on Government to stop these endless cuts to our health system.
“This is why we are still fighting this in the Employment Relations Authority, which is why this will not be implemented until the Authority has heard and determined the matter or the PSA and Health New Zealand have settled it by agreement.”
The union filed these legal proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority in February because several proposed restructures breached the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, the Employment Relations Act 2000, collective agreements and Te Mauri o Rongo – NZ Health Charter.
“We’ll be making it clear to all our members that legal action is still going ahead and we strongly oppose these Health NZ changes.”
Last month, the PSA agreed a settlement with Health NZ stopping the restructuring of the National Public Health Service and two directorates in the Planning Funding and Outcomes business unit: Data and Analytics, Community Mental Health Funding and Investment, and Data and Digital Services.
Litigation remains in place for Planning Funding and Outcomes (Former Service Improvement and Innovation functions): Te Whatu Ora Improve; Evidence, Research and Clinical Trial; Operations; Population Health Gain; Consumer Whanau Voice; Former Office of the Chief Executive (OCE): Strategic Planning and Procurement Supply Chain and Health Technology Management.
Earlier today, the PSA also announced further litigation against Health NZ to stop another round of cuts to their Audit, Assurance and Risk, People and Culture, Finance Stage 1, and Communications and Engagement teams.
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Weather News – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th May – Wet and windy South Island on Saturday, rain crossing North Island on Sunday.

Cloud and showers in the west, sunny in the east to end the work week
Heavy rain and strong winds expected to move up the country over the weekend

Yellow Heavy Rain Watches in place (from Saturday) for:

  • The Ranges of Tasman northwest of Motueka
  • Buller
  • Ranges of the Grey District
  • Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers
  • Headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers
  • Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound

Yellow Strong Wind Watch in place (from Saturday) for:

  • Canterbury High Country.
Slightly warmer overnight temperatures throughout

The weather will be quite different depending on where you are in the country over the next couple of days. The west, especially the South Island, will be mostly cloudy with showers, while the east will enjoy sunny and mostly clear skies thanks to a high-pressure system still hanging around.

Today (Thursday), a band of rain moves up the west coast of the South Island, making it a wet day there. Westerly winds will continue to bring moisture to western regions, so expect clouds and the chance of a shower in many western areas on Thursday and Friday.

As we head into the weekend, expect more rain and stronger winds. A low-pressure system will arrive in southern New Zealand on Saturday and then move north by Sunday. While the rain during the week might not be too serious, the weekend brings the potential for severe weather.

MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday in the South Island, especially the west, where Heavy Rain Watches have been issued. A Strong Wind Watch also covers the blustery northwest winds over the Canterbury High Country. The wind and rain are forecast to decrease in severity before moving onto the North Island by Sunday”. Keep an eye on the MetService website (www.metservice.com) for updates.
 
There’s some good news though, nights will be less chilly due to a warmer airmass from the northwest, so we’ll get a break from those frosts we’ve had over the past few days.
 
If you’ve got outdoor plans, Thursday and Friday are your best bet, particularly in the eastern regions. Shiviti recommends, “Rethinking any weekend plans and taking advantage of the better weather the next couple of days before conditions worsen”.
 
That said, Napier is in luck, “Sunny skies are expected for the Hawke’s Bay Marathon this Saturday”, added Shiviti.

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Fire Safety – Marlborough south moves to open fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will return the Marlborough South area to an open fire season from 8am on Friday, 16 May, until further notice.
An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.
All Department of Conservation land will remain in a restricted season. In a restricted season, people need a permit to light an outdoor fire approved by Fire and Emergency.
The Marlborough North area is already in an open fire season.
Nelson Marlborough Group Manager Chris Hayles says there is now less risk of fire across the region.
“Although no fire permit is required it is still the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure it is done so safely.
“Fires need to be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists.
“Always visit www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting and avoid lighting fires during or ahead of strong winds.”