Latest news with #NZTA
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
MoneyHub Unveils The Fleeced Kiwi Awards: Exposing New Zealand's Worst Financial Rip-Offs
Press Release – MoneyHub Auckland, NZ – 1 June 2025 – MoneyHub today launches the inaugural Fleeced Kiwi Awards 2025, affectionately dubbed The Fleecys, a bold initiative to expose and shame the most egregious financial rip-offs plaguing New Zealanders. From sneaky surcharges to predatory scams, The Fleecys spotlight practices that drain wallets and betray trust, demanding accountability and reform in a cost-of-living crisis. Since 2018, MoneyHub has saved Kiwis millions by advocating for fairer financial products. Now, The Fleecys turn up the heat, naming and shaming the worst offenders in 2025. 'New Zealanders deserve a financial system that rewards trust, not exploits it,' says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub's Head of Research. 'The Fleecys are our rallying cry to expose rip-offs—like a $10.50 ATM fee for a $20 withdrawal or $2.3 billion lost to scams on Meta's platforms—and spark a movement for fairness.' The 2025 Fleecys Winners: A Roll Call of Rip-Offs The Fleecys call out six practices that fleece Kiwis with hidden costs, deceptive tactics, and unchecked scams: Debit and Credit Card Surcharges, including PayWave – For slapping 1–3% fees on everyday transactions, turning a $100 restaurant bill into $102.50. 'Paying extra just to tap your card is a rort,' Walsh fumes. 'Shops must show fees upfront, and regulators need to outlaw these wallet-draining tricks.' Extended Warranties – For pushing $200+ add-ons on a $1,000 TV, duplicating free protections under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). 'Retailers scare Kiwis into buying peace of mind they already have,' says Walsh. 'Know your CGA rights and save your money.' Ticketing Fees – For ambushing fans with 8% 'booking' and 'service' fees, inflating a $200 concert ticket to $218+. 'Fans deserve transparent pricing for the events they love,' Walsh insists. 'These fees should be outlawed.' Administration Fee on Road User Charges (RUC) for Electric Vehicles – For charging EV drivers $12.44 to print a sticker, a 16% markup on a $76 eco-friendly commute. 'This fee is a tax on a tax,' Walsh argues. 'NZTA must modernise RUC to stop fleecing green drivers.' Private ATM Fees – For extortionate charges like $10.50 to withdraw $20, a 52.5% markup. Walsh recounts a personal sting: 'Stranded in Kapiti, I paid $10.50 for $30 cash to catch a bus. That's not an error—it's a rip-off. Operators must lower fees to $2–3.' Meta Platforms – For profiting from scam ads on Facebook and Instagram, costing Kiwis $200 million to $2.3 billion annually. 'Meta's inaction is a scandal,' Walsh declares. 'They must verify advertisers like in Australia to protect vulnerable Kiwis from financial ruin.' A Movement for Change The Fleecys aren't just about naming names—they're a call to action. MoneyHub invites Kiwis to nominate 2026 candidates, share stories with #FleecedKiwiAwards, and report rip-offs anonymously via their secure form. 'Every nomination fuels our fight for a fairer New Zealand,' says Walsh. 'Together, we can force businesses to prioritise transparency and value.' The awards highlight systemic issues, from redundant warranties to scams devastating pensioners, like a Taranaki retiree who lost $220,000 to a Facebook crypto ad. 'These aren't inconveniences—they're obstacles to financial stability,' Walsh notes. 'In a cost-of-living crisis, every dollar counts. The Fleecys empower Kiwis to fight back with knowledge, like checking CGA protections or reporting scam ads.' Why The Fleecys Matter With living costs squeezing households, The Fleecys expose practices that hit hardest when budgets are tight. 'A dairy charging 40 cents for a debit tap or an 8% fee on a family's concert tickets isn't just annoying—it's a betrayal of fairness,' says Walsh. MoneyHub's research, backed by Commerce Commission guidelines and Netsafe data, ensures The Fleecys target widespread, evidence-based rip-offs. Looking ahead, MoneyHub is developing resources to tackle supermarket pricing, a complex issue warranting deeper scrutiny. 'We're committed to transparency at the checkout and beyond,' Walsh promises. 'The Fleecys are a stand against complacency, driving honest conversations between consumers, businesses, and regulators.' Join the Fight Kiwis can shape the 2026 Fleecys by emailing nominations, posting on social media, or submitting anonymous tips. Monthly reviews will culminate in updates by mid-2026. 'Financial literacy is power,' Walsh concludes. 'By exposing The Fleecys, we're arming New Zealanders to reclaim control and build a financial system that works for everyone.' 10 Things to Do Differently with Money in 2025 and 20 Supermarket Ripoffs. About MoneyHub: Since 2018, MoneyHub has empowered New Zealanders with guides and tools to save millions through fairer financial products. The Fleeced Kiwi Awards continue this mission, exposing rip-offs and advocating for a transparent, consumer-focused financial landscape.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
MoneyHub Unveils The Fleeced Kiwi Awards: Exposing New Zealand's Worst Financial Rip-Offs
Auckland, NZ – 1 June 2025 – MoneyHub today launches the inaugural Fleeced Kiwi Awards 2025, affectionately dubbed The Fleecys, a bold initiative to expose and shame the most egregious financial rip-offs plaguing New Zealanders. From sneaky surcharges to predatory scams, The Fleecys spotlight practices that drain wallets and betray trust, demanding accountability and reform in a cost-of-living crisis. Since 2018, MoneyHub has saved Kiwis millions by advocating for fairer financial products. Now, The Fleecys turn up the heat, naming and shaming the worst offenders in 2025. 'New Zealanders deserve a financial system that rewards trust, not exploits it,' says Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub's Head of Research. 'The Fleecys are our rallying cry to expose rip-offs—like a $10.50 ATM fee for a $20 withdrawal or $2.3 billion lost to scams on Meta's platforms—and spark a movement for fairness.' The 2025 Fleecys Winners: A Roll Call of Rip-Offs The Fleecys call out six practices that fleece Kiwis with hidden costs, deceptive tactics, and unchecked scams: Debit and Credit Card Surcharges, including PayWave – For slapping 1–3% fees on everyday transactions, turning a $100 restaurant bill into $102.50. 'Paying extra just to tap your card is a rort,' Walsh fumes. 'Shops must show fees upfront, and regulators need to outlaw these wallet-draining tricks.' Extended Warranties – For pushing $200+ add-ons on a $1,000 TV, duplicating free protections under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). 'Retailers scare Kiwis into buying peace of mind they already have,' says Walsh. 'Know your CGA rights and save your money.' Ticketing Fees – For ambushing fans with 8% 'booking' and 'service' fees, inflating a $200 concert ticket to $218+. 'Fans deserve transparent pricing for the events they love,' Walsh insists. 'These fees should be outlawed.' Administration Fee on Road User Charges (RUC) for Electric Vehicles – For charging EV drivers $12.44 to print a sticker, a 16% markup on a $76 eco-friendly commute. 'This fee is a tax on a tax,' Walsh argues. 'NZTA must modernise RUC to stop fleecing green drivers.' Private ATM Fees – For extortionate charges like $10.50 to withdraw $20, a 52.5% markup. Walsh recounts a personal sting: 'Stranded in Kapiti, I paid $10.50 for $30 cash to catch a bus. That's not an error—it's a rip-off. Operators must lower fees to $2–3.' Meta Platforms – For profiting from scam ads on Facebook and Instagram, costing Kiwis $200 million to $2.3 billion annually. 'Meta's inaction is a scandal,' Walsh declares. 'They must verify advertisers like in Australia to protect vulnerable Kiwis from financial ruin.' A Movement for Change Advertisement - scroll to continue reading The Fleecys aren't just about naming names—they're a call to action. MoneyHub invites Kiwis to nominate 2026 candidates, share stories with #FleecedKiwiAwards, and report rip-offs anonymously via their secure form. 'Every nomination fuels our fight for a fairer New Zealand,' says Walsh. 'Together, we can force businesses to prioritise transparency and value.' The awards highlight systemic issues, from redundant warranties to scams devastating pensioners, like a Taranaki retiree who lost $220,000 to a Facebook crypto ad. 'These aren't inconveniences—they're obstacles to financial stability,' Walsh notes. 'In a cost-of-living crisis, every dollar counts. The Fleecys empower Kiwis to fight back with knowledge, like checking CGA protections or reporting scam ads.' Why The Fleecys Matter With living costs squeezing households, The Fleecys expose practices that hit hardest when budgets are tight. 'A dairy charging 40 cents for a debit tap or an 8% fee on a family's concert tickets isn't just annoying—it's a betrayal of fairness,' says Walsh. MoneyHub's research, backed by Commerce Commission guidelines and Netsafe data, ensures The Fleecys target widespread, evidence-based rip-offs. Looking ahead, MoneyHub is developing resources to tackle supermarket pricing, a complex issue warranting deeper scrutiny. 'We're committed to transparency at the checkout and beyond,' Walsh promises. 'The Fleecys are a stand against complacency, driving honest conversations between consumers, businesses, and regulators.' Join the Fight Kiwis can shape the 2026 Fleecys by emailing nominations, posting on social media, or submitting anonymous tips. Monthly reviews will culminate in updates by mid-2026. 'Financial literacy is power,' Walsh concludes. 'By exposing The Fleecys, we're arming New Zealanders to reclaim control and build a financial system that works for everyone.' About MoneyHub: Since 2018, MoneyHub has empowered New Zealanders with guides and tools to save millions through fairer financial products. The Fleeced Kiwi Awards continue this mission, exposing rip-offs and advocating for a transparent, consumer-focused financial landscape.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Thames-Coromandel at risk to climate-related hazards, says report
Flooding is one of the natural disasters faced by Thames-Coromandel. Photo: Monika Lange, via Facebook A new Waikato Regional Council report shows Thames-Coromandel District is highly exposed to eight out of 10 main climate-related hazards. All roads in the district are also at risk from hazards, with communities likely to be isolated. The regional council found Thames-Coromandel had large and ongoing exposure to flooding, coastal hazards, extreme weather, higher temperatures, drought, groundwater rise, landslides and marine heatwaves, but the results weren't a surprise to those working in the district, who said it urgently needed to start making plans and taking action. Thames-Coromandel District Council climate change programme manager Amon Martin said climate change would have a huge potential impact on the district. "It's a really big challenge for us and there will need to be change going into the future," he said. Thames-Coromandel has 400km of coastline, a mountain range down the middle and small communities scattered along the coastlines. Martin said the local council was very aware on the hazards facing the district for at least a decade. He said the response would need to be cross-agency and involve the whole community. "NZTA play a big part for our district in terms of providing roading infrastructure, but so does Waikato Regional Council. They provide flood protection from our streams, then there are businesses and communities and iwi across the district, all of those need to work together." Understanding who has the responsibility for leading different work wasn't always clear. "A lot of the legislation is enabling, but not requiring, so there aren't definitive roles currently," Martin said. "I see that as one of the immediate challenges." New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato system manager Andy Oakley said the amount of rain in Thames-Coromandel hadn't necessarily increased, but it came in more intense bursts. The district was top of his list, when looking at the effects of coastal flooding and unstable land, and the state highway network had been identified as needing increased resilience. "There are three new bridges being [replaced] and there is still ongoing reliance repairs after the 2023 storms, so in the 10-25 year term, absolutely resilience is what we are looking at," Oakley said. "Beyond that, there are so many factors out of our control and we will have to assess that as we move forward." He said NZTA would have invested more than $100 million in resilience work in Thames-Coromandel in response to the 2023 floods. Looking forward, the costs facing Thames-Coromandel because of climate change were significant, but Martin said the most effective way to reduce costs was to make the best use of time by responding with urgency to the hazards we know of now. "Understanding the hazard areas now means you don't need to build houses in the wrong places, you can transition infrastructure when it's up for renewal to minimise costs. You can do a lot of things to reduce the costs, if you understand the challenges." Waikato professor of environmental planning Iain White said information from the regional climate hazards report would help council's make better planning decisions. "This is where I generally come in - to try and make sure that the liability we pass on to future generations is less then it could have been by making smart decisions now." However, there are many places in New Zealand - like Thames-Coromandel - with high exposure to natural hazards, but a low taxpayer base. "How much do we pay now?" White said. "How much should that cost go to future generations, as things become more apparent? "It's quite complex decisions about who pays when and when do we need to invest." Despite the bleak outlook, Martin said there were opportunities for growth and development. "There isn't hazards in every space across the district," he said. "There are places that are appropriate to build and grow, so you shouldn't get stuck in the fact that this is a big challenge. "There are ways to work through it and do the best for our community." As a nation of people who love living right on the water, that may require an attitude shift. "It's almost a change management approach required for the whole country," Martin said. "Stop and think about where you want to live, what the risks are, what you can do personally and whether that is a place you are willing to accept." White said knowing the risks - for example of flooding or isolation, if you live by the coast - should change people's behaviour or markets, but the reality was different. "In lots of areas, it hasn't panned out that way," he said. "It's partly because, though you may get a higher risk of flooding, you get a higher amenity value of being on the coast, so it's swings and roundabouts. "For some people, that's something they are perfectly willing to take on." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Thames-Coromadel at risk to climate-related hazards, says report
Flooding is one of the natural disasters faced by Thames-Coromandel. Photo: Monika Lange, via Facebook A new Waikato Regional Council report shows Thames-Coromandel District is highly exposed to eight out of 10 main climate-related hazards. All roads in the district are also at risk from hazards, with communities likely to be isolated. The regional council found Thames-Coromandel had large and ongoing exposure to flooding, coastal hazards, extreme weather, higher temperatures, drought, groundwater rise, landslides and marine heatwaves, but the results weren't a surprise to those working in the district, who said it urgently needed to start making plans and taking action. Thames-Coromandel District Council climate change programme manager Amon Martin said climate change would have a huge potential impact on the district. "It's a really big challenge for us and there will need to be change going into the future," he said. Thames-Coromandel has 400km of coastline, a mountain range down the middle and small communities scattered along the coastlines. Martin said the local council was very aware on the hazards facing the district for at least a decade. He said the response would need to be cross-agency and involve the whole community. "NZTA play a big part for our district in terms of providing roading infrastructure, but so does Waikato Regional Council. They provide flood protection from our streams, then there are businesses and communities and iwi across the district, all of those need to work together." Understanding who has the responsibility for leading different work wasn't always clear. "A lot of the legislation is enabling, but not requiring, so there aren't definitive roles currently," Martin said. "I see that as one of the immediate challenges." New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato system manager Andy Oakley said the amount of rain in Thames-Coromandel hadn't necessarily increased, but it came in more intense bursts. The district was top of his list, when looking at the effects of coastal flooding and unstable land, and the state highway network had been identified as needing increased resilience. "There are three new bridges being [replaced] and there is still ongoing reliance repairs after the 2023 storms, so in the 10-25 year term, absolutely resilience is what we are looking at," Oakley said. "Beyond that, there are so many factors out of our control and we will have to assess that as we move forward." He said NZTA would have invested more than $100 million in resilience work in Thames-Coromandel in response to the 2023 floods. Looking forward, the costs facing Thames-Coromandel because of climate change were significant, but Martin said the most effective way to reduce costs was to make the best use of time by responding with urgency to the hazards we know of now. "Understanding the hazard areas now means you don't need to build houses in the wrong places, you can transition infrastructure when it's up for renewal to minimise costs. You can do a lot of things to reduce the costs, if you understand the challenges." Waikato professor of environmental planning Iain White said information from the regional climate hazards report would help council's make better planning decisions. "This is where I generally come in - to try and make sure that the liability we pass on to future generations is less then it could have been by making smart decisions now." However, there are many places in New Zealand - like Thames-Coromandel - with high exposure to natural hazards, but a low taxpayer base. "How much do we pay now?" White said. "How much should that cost go to future generations, as things become more apparent? "It's quite complex decisions about who pays when and when do we need to invest." Despite the bleak outlook, Martin said there were opportunities for growth and development. "There isn't hazards in every space across the district," he said. "There are places that are appropriate to build and grow, so you shouldn't get stuck in the fact that this is a big challenge. "There are ways to work through it and do the best for our community." As a nation of people who love living right on the water, that may require an attitude shift. "It's almost a change management approach required for the whole country," Martin said. "Stop and think about where you want to live, what the risks are, what you can do personally and whether that is a place you are willing to accept." White said knowing the risks - for example of flooding or isolation, if you live by the coast - should change people's behaviour or markets, but the reality was different. "In lots of areas, it hasn't panned out that way," he said. "It's partly because, though you may get a higher risk of flooding, you get a higher amenity value of being on the coast, so it's swings and roundabouts. "For some people, that's something they are perfectly willing to take on." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rates Rise Trimmed To 5.8% For Canterbury Ratepayers
Canterbury ratepayers are set to get some relief, with the regional council slashing its proposed average rate rise to 5.8 percent. Environment Canterbury consulted on an average rate rise of 9.9 percent, after signalling a rates hike of 15.5 percent in last year's 2024/34 Long Term Plan. But staff found further savings, following cuts to public transport funding, allowing councillors to endorse a revised rate rise of 5.8 percent during annual plan deliberations on Tuesday, May 28. The council has been under pressure from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to increase bus fares, with less funding available for public transport. Chairperson Craig Pauling said the annual plan had produced a good outcome for the region. ''I was pleased with council's detailed and good-spirited debate, and our consistent focus on strategic outcomes for Waitaha. ''We don't always get the things we want, and some of the decisions we had to make were unfortunately the result of changing government policies and investment priorities. ''But I feel we've landed in a good place for the region.'' Pauling said public transport, river resilience and biodiversity remained priorities for the council, despite the pressures of the economic climate and changing government policy. The council was forced to rethink its investment in public transport due to reduced funding from central government. As signalled in the consultation, bus fares will increase, with the flat fare trial coming to an end in February next year. Standard adult fares will increase from $2 to $3 from July, with increases for child fares, total mobility card holders and community service card holders. A two-zone fare structure in be introduced in February, with Waimakariri and Selwyn bus users paying $3 to travel within their own own district and $4 to travel into Christchurch. A proposed two-year trial to establish a third zone linking Darfield, Kirwee and West Melton with Rolleston was dropped following submissions. Councillor John Sunckell proposed the council go ahead with the trial, funding $150,000 a year from reserves to reduce the targeted rate. But staff noted it was not eligible for NZTA funding and proposed investigating further support for the Malvern Community Vehicle Trust. The council will meet again on June 25 to adopt the annual plan.
