A majority of Australians are unwilling to pay any additional costs to support the transition to net zero, with 51.7 per cent of respondents rejecting even a $1 increase to their energy bills. According to polling by Compass Polling for Affordable Energy Australia (AEA), concerns over the rising cost of living have eclipsed support for … Read more
Australian Beer and Cigarette Taxes Top Global Rankings, Sparking Industry Warnings Deutsche Bank’s 2026 cost of living index reveals Melbourne and Sydney as the world’s most expensive cities for beer and cigarettes, with prices for five beers and two packs of Marlboros reaching $US111.20 and $US109.50 respectively. The data highlights a “relentless” rise in sin … Read more
CDC Data Centres’ New Zealand subsidiary recorded a net loss of $87.7m for the 2026 financial year, despite generating a gross profit of $117.3m. According to company filings, the loss was driven by $145.6m in fair value write-downs on investment properties, foreign exchange volatility, and rising debt costs, contrasting sharply with a $637.6m profit in … Read more
Rental markets in Tauranga and Rotorua are showing signs of stabilization as tenants become increasingly price-sensitive amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. While coastal suburbs like Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa remain the most expensive, with weekly rents averaging between $735 and $740, property managers report that rental growth has slowed significantly across the Bay of Plenty over … Read more
The Rise of the ‘Co-Ownership Era’: Why Friends are the New Mortgage Partners For decades, the path to homeownership followed a predictable script: marry, settle down and buy a house as a nuclear family. But as global housing markets reach unprecedented levels of inaccessibility, that script is being shredded. We are witnessing the emergence of … Read more
The combined projected cost for the Memorial Park Aquatic Centre and a “national-scale courts and events hub” at Baypark could decrease from $190 million to $158 million. This potential reduction follows a doubling of funding from partners and development contributions, which now total $67 million. While councillors have agreed to move forward with these projects, … Read more
Air New Zealand Navigates Turbulence: Fuel Costs and Flight Disruptions Air New Zealand is currently managing a series of flight cancellations and adjustments, primarily impacting services to and from Tauranga, as a direct response to rising jet fuel costs. This marks the third time this year the airline has reduced flights within the Tauranga network. … Read more
Local councils in New Zealand are facing a significant fiscal mismatch where the immediate costs of population growth fall on ratepayers, whereas the financial benefits flow to central government in Wellington. Upgrading trunk infrastructure—including arterial pipes, roads, and sewage capacity—requires immediate funding. However, the rates payments from new housing arrive slowly, leaving a gap in … Read more
Southeast Asia Turns to Nuclear as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens The escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, are forcing Southeast Asian nations to reassess their energy strategies. Malaysia is now actively exploring nuclear power as a key component of its future energy mix, a … Read more
Rotorua and Beyond: How Fuel Concerns are Accelerating Local Resilience Rising fuel costs are impacting households and prompting local councils, like Rotorua Lakes Council, to proactively address potential disruptions to essential services. The situation, highlighted in recent council meetings, underscores a growing need for communities to bolster self-sufficiency and explore sustainable alternatives. The Current Landscape: … Read more