With the cost of living soaring, many Kiwi families are struggling to afford healthy food. Countries like Canada and the UK don’t tax basic groceries, and it's time New Zealand followed suit. Removing GST—or offering a rebate—on meat and vegetables would ease financial pressure, improve access to nutrition, and support better long-term health for all New Zealanders. Let’s push for tax policy that puts people’s wellbeing first. Sign the petition and help make real change happen.

The Government is considering changes to current sick leave entitlements, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon indicating that reducing sick leave from 10 to five days is on the table.

Speaking to RNZ, Luxon said:

“That’s something that I know [Workplace Relations and Safety Minister] Brooke van Velden is looking into. She looks at a whole raft of workplace relations.”

While he noted it was "a bit premature for now," he added:

“I think there’s probably a need for us to look at it for sure, and just make sure that we’ve got that setting right—particularly around proportionate sick leave for part-time workers versus full-time workers and those sorts of things.”

Luxon confirmed that van Velden is working on a broader workplace relations package:

“She’ll continue to talk about [it] as you’ve seen already this year.”

In a separate appearance on Newstalk ZB, Luxon suggested changes were likely and an announcement regarding sick leave could be expected, though no timeframe was given.

Current Sick Leave Law (NZ) Under current legislation:

Employees (full-time, part-time, or casual) are entitled to 10 days of sick leave per year.

Eligibility requires:

Six months of continuous employment with the same employer.

Working at least 10 hours per week on average.

At least one hour in every week, or 40 hours in every month.

Proposed Driver Licence Changes: Government May Remove Second Practical Test, Cut Back on Eye Exams

Honestly, this sounds like a recipe for disaster. The driving standards out there are already sketchy enough without lowering the bar even more.

If you're in Auckland and love a good cinnamon bun, you have to try these, seriously, they’re amazing. It’s just a bit of a downer seeing big overseas companies come into NZ and start throwing around cease-and-desists at local businesses that have been doing their thing for years.

Feels a bit like the whole Popeyes situation all over again.

Support local where you can!

Tomorrow Auckland’s Councillors will decide on the next steps in the city’s ongoing stadium debate, and it appears one option is technically feasible but isn’t financially feasible while the other one might be financially feasible but not be technically feasible.

A Watercare decision to restrict new connections to the wastewater network on the Hibiscus Coast is being labelled as disastrous by property developers in the area, who say the organisation has failed to do its job.

Late last year, Watercare revealed that any developments in the area which weren't resource consented by 15 November would not be able to connect to the wastewater network until an upgrade to the Army Bay Wastewater treatment plant was complete, currently scheduled for 2031.

The 650g Cadbury Selections Egg Bag is selling for a staggering $26.40. That’s over $40 per kilo for regular Cadbury chocolate. Is it worth it, or just plain ridiculous?

Fresh Choice, Pyes Pa.

Police have raided “Gandalf”, a renowned “Green Fairy”, destroying greenhouses that supplied hundreds of patients with black market medicinal cannabis.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Wishing you a day full of joy, good food, and great company. Hope you’re all making the most of the holiday season. Take care and have an awesome day!

So, we're preventing Kiwis from fishing here to protect declining fish stocks, yet commercial fishing is still allowed to operate in the same area?

What's your opinion on the Holidays act moving to an Hours based accrual System?

"Hours-based accrual has the potential to achieve a much greater focus on simplicity. “While shifting to hours-based accrual may require drafting a fundamentally different Bill, I believe investing the time and effort to do this will deliver superior improvements to both employers and employees."

Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the Government’s plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand.

“This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs,” the Minister said in an announcement at the Beehive on Tuesday afternoon.

A Head Hunters gang associate was arrested on Thursday morning, and a rifle was thrown from a car, when police descended on him.

Footage of the arrest showed the 31-year-old man driving erratically on grass before the car stopped.

A man outside the car then reached in, pulled out the rifle and threw it into nearby bushes.

The driver got out of the car and knelt down as police arrested him on serious charges after his alleged reckless driving played out across Auckland overnight.

I admit I’m not sure what the typical charges are for possessing 37g of meth, but this seems incredibly low.

How do you feel about Prime Minister Luxon using a back entrance to avoid protesters? Was this a practical decision for safety, or does it suggest a lack of courage in leadership?"

I disagree with introducing tipping here. It feels like the public is being asked to prop up the hospitality industry and cover for low wages. If workers aren't being paid enough, that's an issue employers and the government need to fix, not something customers should take on.

What do you think? Should tipping become the norm in New Zealand?