The Weekend Collective

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.  The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.  But some finance experts say we shouldn't be relying on the government to fund our retirements, and super should be treated as a bonus rather than a survivable income.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hearing loss is one of those things that sneak up on you.  In most cases, it's not something you notice as a sudden change - but you may catch yourself lip reading a little bit more often, or turning up the volume on the TV gradually over a few weeks or months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian president Vladimir Putin says the war in Ukraine is coming to an end.  The conflict has been ongoing since Russia's initial invasion in 2022, and Putin had been speaking in the Kremlin following a very scaled-back Victory Day parade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has leaked, and the Government has confirmed, that this will be the final year of fees-free support for tertiary students.  The support was first introduced as a first year free incentive to help get more young people into further education, and was changed to be final year free last year.  The policy has cost almost $350 million a year since it was introduced, but it seems the Government has decided that money is better spent elsewhere.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of having or raising a child is often the most considered issue among couples planning to start or grow their family.  It's not just the shopping trips for prams and cots and nappies - it's the income loss over the months of parental leave and the endless sick days once daycare starts up.  Plunket estimates a medium-budget cost for raising a child for the first year comes to just under $16,000. That works out to a whole lot of sacrifice.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staging homes has been a popular way to market your property for years.  It's not your home as you have lived in it God Forbid  but it gives potential buyers an idea of what their future home could look like if it were intentionally designed and hardly lived in.  We know our home likely won't look a whole lot like that once we move ourselves in - but there's a rising trend of digitally altered property photos that are harder to see through.  What was once just higher contrast and saturation, or greener grass, could be a slippery slope to changes that would cost an arm and a leg to make a reality.  Overseas, a few agents have even gone as far as knocking out a wall or installing a deck digitally to show the potential of a property that may not have a lot to offer otherwise.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Untidy Podcast host Matilda Green and Infometrics CEO Brad Olsen to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All investment accounts are a bit touch and go at the moment.  If you're checking your KiwiSaver more than a few times a year, the amount of movement could really start to get to your head.  But for those close to or at retirement age, or about to withdraw for whatever reason - a volatile market can make all the difference.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weather is cooling down and winter is almost upon us...  That means winter sports will be starting up soon if they haven't already, and your muscles will be tighter and more vulnerable to injury than in the warmer months.  What injuries are more likely when it's colder out, and how can we avoid them?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has received a preliminary proposal from the United States requesting help in opening the Strait of Hormuz -  possibly as part of a coalition that would restore access to the strait. So yes we're apparently just one of a number of countries that received a proposal.  Foreign Affairs minister Winston Peters says we're seeking more information and as such won't be making a decision anytime soon.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new trend sweeping through social media - when your child is lost in a tantrum or a pre-teen spiral, you call out for your imaginary helper named Jessica, and more often than not it will confuse them enough to stop them in their tracks.  Distraction methods like this one have been used for years and years, but why do they work?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all heard the age-old advice you should buy the worst house on the best street - but is that still the case?  The divide between what's considered a 'good' or 'bad' street seems to be less obvious than what it once was, and the cost of building or renovating has skyrocketed in recent years. It's just not as easy these days to throw a little bit of cash and a few weekends of hard work at a run down house to bring it up to the level of neighbours.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, TIm Beveridge is joined by Taxpayers' Union's Jordan Williams and NZ Gardener's Jo McCarroll to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divorce is still one of those taboo topics we tend to avoid, but up to 40% of marriages end that way here in New Zealand, so it's probably about time we become a bit more comfortable with it.  It's not always a hostile end, some couples are even able to "DIY" their split in a sense - but is that really a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been hearing for a while an increasing concern around a lack of information about healthy eating.  You head to the doctor for a minor issue that's been bugging you for a while, and you're more likely to head home with a script for panadol and ibuprofen than a few print outs on maintaining a balanced diet.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SailGP won't be going ahead in the city of sails next year as the Government has pulled funding.  Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston wrote in a letter to mayor Wayne Brown that the event did not meet funding criteria, which requires a specific net economic benefit.  It's been met with disappointment, as funding continues for larger events such as Robbie Williams and Linkin Park, of which some argue could have sold out on their own, without Government funding.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After much deliberation, the Labour Party has announced they'll back the India free trade agreement.  We do see cross party agreements, but just how important will bipartisanship be for this year's election?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctors are seeing an increasing number of young people coming in with unexplained symptoms.  The prominent ones parents are probably seeing most frequently are the random headaches, stomach aches, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.  Parents will often treat their children with panadol and electrolytes, take their devices away before bed to avoid blue light, and hope the problem resolves itself. But these are all common signs something more could be going on - different ways mental health problems present physically.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buyer's agents. They're projected to grow in popularity in the coming years, so what are they and who really needs one?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp and chemistry professor Allan Blackman to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think of trusts as a way to protect your assets, especially if you work in certain fields - but a surprising number of regular families use them for a range of reasons.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades we've watched as professional athletes spend a whole lot of time warming up behind the pre-game interviews on game day, from stretching to sprinting and everything in between.  The professionals take it seriously and so do the amateurs - parents will know the rush to show up an hour or two early to make enough time for a thorough warm up on a Saturday morning.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party have just had their annual State of the Planet Address, and this year they're calling for a National Electrification Plan.  They say it's in response to the current fossil fuels crisis, and would add to their previous calls for free public transport and solutions to ease the cost of living.  The plan would lay out a clear plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and use renewable energy like solar panels to reduce the cost of living.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First has announced they will be campaigning on a new policy to end the supermarket duopoly.  The policy would give the Commerce Commission powers to enforce increased penalties for breaches and reform the role of the Groceries Commissioner, which the party says is currently toothless.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You always hear stories about the different ways a person's childhood has had an ongoing impact throughout their life.  There are some horrible stories out there, but it could even just be the way your parents would cook growing up, or how the way they would react to you relaxing results in habits that follow you into adulthood.   So at the end of the day, are we all doomed to mess up our children in one way or another?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So you want a loan to buy a property.  The bank sifts through all the money that's gone in and out of your accounts going back an uncomfortable amount of time, and give you a number they're willing to lend you. You think to yourself, the process is so long and gruelling, and they require so much of your usually private documents, that surely you can afford to meet those repayments - right?  Wrong.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Fieldays CEO Richard Lindroos and presenter Mark Crysell to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hot topic on everyone's minds right now is the price of petrol and diesel.  It seems to be impacting the price of just about everything else, and we're staring down the barrel of a major risk of high inflation.  The OCR remains steady for now, but it's only a matter of time before interest rates are on the up once again.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this stage it's probably more common than not to have some kind of wearable tracker to track your steps, heart rate, and the one we're discussing today - sleep.  They give you data showing how long you've slept, how much time you spent in each of the sleep stages, and some will even provide you with your heart rate variability and how much sleep you'll need based on your stats for the day.  But are the really as useful as they seem? Or do they provide the every day person with too much insight to stress over?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party have called in former broadcaster Rachel Smalley to help Auckland based MPs, including the prime minister, with their communications and media work ahead of the election this year.  It's come after the public have started to notice Luxon becoming less confident and stumbling over his words recently - in contrast to the precise and decided communication style he's had in the past.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Vaianu has hit our shores and some regions are being hit particularly hard.  The East Coast has seen gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour, thousands of homes in Northland and the Bay of Plenty are without power, and weather watches and warnings remain in place for the whole North Island and parts of the South Island.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's school holidays, and boredom is setting in... While it can send parents into a bit of a spiral hearing their children complain about how bored they are all day long - being bored is one of those skills we all need to learn at some point.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tide has well and truly turned.  We've had analysts forecasting a plateau for much of this year, with rates starting to turn upwards near the end of the year. One thing is for sure - we're not too likely to see the OCR go any lower than where it already stands.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Wilhelmina O'Keeffe and Luke Dallow to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us change our diets as with the seasons, thanks to availability and pricing.  But are there health benefits to adopting a seasonal diet? And what should we pick up now before it's gone out of season? Chef Allyson Gofton joins to discuss seasonal diets, and some recipes to keep you warm as we head into winter.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's election year again in New Zealand, and it's a process that we're all familiar with.  But few are more familiar than Former PM Helen Clark and Former National MP Maurice Williamson, who joined Tim Beverige to look at what we can expect from election year.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our children are becoming increasingly involved in politics and current events, and they're getting involved younger and younger.  We want to support their interests, but the news can get pretty dark, and these kinds of events or protests always come with a risk of danger.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever walked into a home and thought - there was so much potential and it's all been lost.  A room with limited natural light, painted in dark shades and made to look smaller than it is. A poorly shaped couch that throws off the whole room. Or one that we see all too often - old, outdated lighting that can make a gorgeous home immediately look neglected. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Untidy Podcast host Matilda Green and Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are going up.  Food prices are up, and will keep going up alongside fuel. Practically any goods that travel by land air or ocean to get to you will become increasingly unaffordable for the foreseeable future.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ have had to tell their staff to stop using free AI tools such as Chat GPT for writing clinical notes.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest numbers, as at one week ago, there were 24 days of petrol and 18 days of diesel in the country.  Things are looking to worsen for the foreseeable future, although an uptick in public transport use and EV purchases point to people taking things into their own hands.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First will be campaigning on a policy that would see half of all mining royalties go to the region from which it came, rather than Wellington.  The party says it would build up wealth and infrastructure in the regions, allowing for future development rather than having the money spent across wider national projects.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media giants Meta and YouTube have been found liable for deliberately designing their platforms to be addictive.  We don't need to look too far into the details of this specific trial, because parents everywhere will have stories of their own to some extent, but how much of the blame falls on the parents? There are countless things in the modern world that young people risk becoming addicted to - they don't even have to appear sinister. Food, sugar, video games, any number of apps - social media or otherwise.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, the kiwi dream has been to do whatever it takes to get onto the property ladder and work your way up from there, but some investors are moving away from that advice - instead suggesting that it might be a better idea to rent and put your money elsewhere.  It's not just the cost of the property and the mortgage repayments. You're paying to maintain the property in a way you wouldn't be if it were a rental, you're covering rates, insurance, and all the other little costs that add up pretty quickly.  That's money that some investors argue could be spent on investments, or on a rental of your own that would at least bring some return.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald and Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions are high for everyone right now, and I know most people will either be nervously checking their KiwiSaver balance on the daily, or completely ignoring it until things calm down a bit.  The most repeated advice advisors will be giving right now is to simply ignore your balance for the time being - that by the time the first bomb dropped, it was too late to change anything. But is that really true?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The popularity of Telehealth GP appointments skyrocketed during the pandemic, and it hasn't gone away since.  Just about every general practice now offers Telehealth appointments, generally as a less costly and more accessible alternative. But this country has an increasingly urgent primary care crisis, with 50% of GPs planning to retire by 2035 - and Telehealth is just another tool to get more patients seen as GPs leave the workforce.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has delivered NZ First's State of the Nation address - the final one ahead of the looming election.  Peters also announced a National Energy Strategy that would break up power companies, no longer allowing them to control both power and the price.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most kids will take part in some kind of sport throughout their childhood.  It's a great opportunity to keep them moving and allow them to burn off some energy, but how early should we be getting our children into these teams? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.