Saturday remains the dominant day for weddings in New Zealand, accounting for 45% of all marriages recorded up to the 2025 calendar year. According to data from the Department of Internal Affairs, couples overwhelmingly prefer weekend dates, with Friday and Saturday combined hosting nearly two-thirds of all ceremonies. While some couples are exploring weekday options … Read more
The annual Fuel Allowance scheme will resume at the end of September and run for 28 weeks through April, according to reports from RSVP Live. Eligible households will receive €38 per week or two lump-sum payments totaling €1,064, following an increase from €33 per week implemented in January 2026, according to reporting by journalists Eoin … Read more
Ireland must accelerate heat-pump installations twentyfold and at least double the pace of general home retrofits to meet national energy efficiency targets, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council. In its annual review of the built environment, the Government’s independent advisory body warned that recent emission drops stem from a warmer winter rather than true … Read more
Inflation is projected to reach a two-year high, with economists forecasting an annual rate of at least 4% for the 12 months ended June, up from 3.1% in the March quarter. Driven by surging fuel costs linked to the Middle East war, this upward pressure on prices is increasing the likelihood that the Reserve Bank … Read more
Irish households face a significant increase in living costs starting in October 2026, driven by rising energy prices and the reinstatement of fuel excise duties. According to Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris, inflation could reach between 3.75% and 4.5%, placing upward pressure on essential bills including home heating, electricity, and transport fuel. Energy … Read more
The Reserve Bank’s decision to raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 2.5% signals a shift in the economic landscape, forcing investors to reconsider traditional definitions of financial safety. While bank accounts are often viewed as the default “safe” harbor, rising inflation and a weakening New Zealand dollar mean that cash holdings may lose purchasing … Read more
Eligible families can now apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, with payments primarily issued in July. According to Dublin Live, the scheme provides €160 for children aged two to 11 and €285 for those 12 and older in second-level education. How do the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance rules … Read more
New Zealand petrol prices could drop to $2.50 per litre if the US-Iran ceasefire holds, according to AA Principal Policy Adviser Terry Collins. The interim deal has already driven international oil prices down from US$114 a barrel in May to US$72 in August, lowering local 91 petrol averages to approximately $3. Why are international oil … Read more
New Zealand power prices are currently driven by a combination of rising network infrastructure costs and constrained wholesale electricity supply, according to the Electricity Retailers’ and Generators’ Association (ERGA). Chief executive Bridget Abernethy reports that network charges account for 40% to 45% of recent price hikes, while a decline in gas generation and tight hydro … Read more
Irish households face a series of significant social welfare and fiscal shifts in the coming weeks, including the distribution of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the potential expiration of temporary fuel tax cuts. These changes will impact family budgets and transport costs through the remainder of the summer. When is the … Read more