The Weekend Collective

From tomorrow, beneficiaries will need to comply with two more obligations to continue receiving welfare. 

They will need to provide evidence of at least three job searches a week for four weeks, and attend employment-related training courses for at least five hours a week for four weeks. 

The sanctions are aimed at increasing employability, but critics think it's punishing beneficiaries for being out of work. 

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After yet another OCR cut, economists and mortgage holders alike are holding their breath for December - the last announcement of the year. 

A new report from Infometrics suggests the Reserve Bank may be taking the cuts too far, and risking an overstimulated economy. 

Most forecasts have predicted more cuts coming, but it's possible that Dr Anna Breman may have a different way of handling things. 

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An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023.

50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands.

It's one thing to be spending less on non-essentials, eating less, or wearing cheaper clothes, but sometimes that can chip away at our mental health and confidence. So how can we s...

It's no secret that as we get older, our metabolism slows down a bit, and staying in shape just gets harder to do - from keeping lean, maintaining muscle, and removing stubborn fat.

Ricky Gervais had a tweet about how he's working out everyday now - playing tennis, lifting weights and running. His heart's good, and he trains at a good intensity - but he wonders why he's stil overweight and exhausted?

We could just stay in the gym f...

42 councils have held referendums on Māori wards - 17 areas have voted to keep them, while 25 have voted to remove.

The wards have been a flashpoint for debate - there were protesters in Kaipara last year when council voted to remove it.

Te Pāti Māori has described the decision to remove the wards as “racist, targeted attack on Māori, for being Māori” and that it's "an assault on Te Tiriti"

Last year, David Seymour said he'd vote a...

We hear lots of horror stories about parenting - from the accidents that cost us a hefty bill, the arguments and bickering we bump into as they get older, the worries about our what they're doing when we're away, and the concerns of how social media's affecting their mental health.

But we do it because we love them - unconditionally. And part of that is having to embrace the numerous versions of people they grow up to be. So what a...

A few weeks ago, a developer pre-sold most of its eight planned heritage-style weatherboard townhouses in two Auckland projects.

They plan to bring more of their cookie-cutter housing designs to Auckland, and aims to revive the styles of homes prevalent in many older suburbs.

But having a suburb full of similarly designed houses seems like it'd make neighbourhood dull, especially if they're bunched up together as councils plan to i...

Our kids are growing up, and with that comes the parental obligation to allow them to start making decisions for themselves. 

This come after we saw the story of the Gaza Flotilla and an interview with the father of Sam Leason, an 18 year old who was a part of the recent flotilla to Gaza. 

I think regardless of your views, most parents would be pretty hesitant to allow their teenager to head off into a warzone. But truly,...

House prices have been flat or are falling, it's hard to miss. 

Many owners are trying to quickly sell up - whether it be to fund their retirement, or simply because the rental market just isn't as profitable as it used to be. 

Analysts reckon this will mean a lot of younger people finally getting the opportunity to get on the property ladder. But there's one thing keeping a lot of potential buyers hesitant... 

Thirt...

It's mental health awareness week from tomorrow, and you might ask what the hell has it to do with nutrition, but food has more to do with your mood than people realise. 

The types of foods you consume can have a not only an impact on your physical health, but your mental health too. 

What kind of foods make you feel better, inside and out? And what are those comfort foods you just can't let go of? 

Nutritionist Clai...

Thousands of teenagers could have their Jobseeker benefit cut next year, as the Government restricts payments.

Eighteen and 19-year-olds without children must pass a Parental Assistance Test to qualify from November 2026.

The threshold will be set at just over $65,000.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Tim Beveridge it's the same as the Supported Living Payment, and similar to the Student Allowance test.

She says those...

Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.

Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria.

From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. 

The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026.

Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge. 

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