Latest news with #Pākehā
The Spinoff
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Spinoff
The cost of being: An administrator who is ‘uncontrollable around a bougie food truck'
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, an administrator who who has spent most of their life on welfare explains what they spend their money on. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Lady-coded. Age: 33. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Administration. Salary/income/assets: $62,196 pa. My living location is: Rural. Rent/mortgage per week: $480 rent, split between myself and my partner. Student loan or other debt payments per week: $87.42 student loan, recently completely paid off a personal loan. Typical weekly food costs Groceries: Around $150 per week for two people according to my spreadsheets! I have a very well stocked pantry of staples. Eating out: $25 per person, weekly buffet dinner at a local cafe, then maybe $30 per person beer and kai on a Saturday or Sunday. Takeaways: Probably also around $25 per person, we do it a lot less since we moved way out of town! Workday lunches: $6 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the $4 lunch at Otago Uni (the extra $2 is for a samosa for afternoon tea). Cafe coffees/snacks: $20 max – only go to cafes fairly rarely and when I do, I'm getting a lil treat. Savings: Try for between $200-300 a fortnight, but life finds a way. I worry about money: Sometimes. Three words to describe my financial situation: Safe – for now. My biggest edible indulgence would be: I am uncontrollable around a bougie food truck. In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $20 (ya girl drinkin' top shelf). In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: My partner recently got a work vehicle so we're saving heeeaps. I put $10 on my Bee Card once a month. I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Conservative estimate around $2000. Since getting a Real Job, I have decided to buy ethically made and well built clothing that will last a lifetime, either new or secondhand. Shit's expensive. My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Bought an incredibly sick matching jacket and jeans (black, contrast stitching) for around $550 all up. But buying a co-ord is actually like buying three new outfits so…. My last pair of shoes cost: $200 Allbirds, all black. Needed some nondescript shoes that can handle wet weather. My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: I bought a $15 eyebrow gel and powder set five years ago that I am still using. I probably spend $50 total on Cetaphil face wash and moisturiser, then my shampoo and conditioner are $30 each, but only once a year-ish. I am very lucky that I never got into wearing makeup and have decent skin. My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $780 for gym membership, and I bought $60 Vans for lifting (flat shoes better) 2.5 years ago. My last Friday night cost: $30, a mere two pints and a soda. Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A pair of shorts that are borderline transparent. Most indulgent purchase (that I don't regret) in the last 12 months was: Aforementioned jacket/pant co-ord. One area where I'm a bit of a tightwad is: I'm not really in any area, sure I buy on sale/in bulk or whatever but I think quality is quality and generosity is its own reward. Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Should think more long term. I grew up in a house where money was: Scarce, mostly. I have spent most of my life on welfare, including the vast majority of my childhood. My mother never shielded us from the reality of the situation, only in the sense that I learned a lot of pragmatism and resilience from her. She told me often when I was young that you always pay your rent first – you can go to a food bank, and you can sit in darkness but you need to have a roof above all else. I grew up in a very supportive community, we were all mostly in the same situation, everyone watched each other's kids, you ate at whichever house you happened to be in at that time. Money was loaned without an expectation of exact repayment or on any time scale. When I went to uni and met rich people I was really shocked at how miserly they are! The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Six months ago, at the dentist. It was the day before payday so my account was dry. In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: I am going back to school next year to train as a teacher, so I see myself as being stable and secure, probably not wealthy. My partner has a good job getting better, but hopefully in five years that'll all be going right down the drain to kids and a mortgage :) I would love to have more money for: The kind of clothing that they sell in shops where they kick you out if you ask what the price is. Describe your financial low: At one point I was supporting myself, my mother and my brother on just one person's sickness benefit due to immigration stuff.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Kaipara Māori ward councillor Pera Paniora: District should get its say
Immediately after the Government signalled its August legislation change, Jepson said he wanted his council's Māori ward gone before the coming elections. KDC's single-term Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward will disappear at the local elections as a result of the council's August decision, without any poll. There will also be no vote in October on the presence of an electoral area of this type into the future. That's in contrast to Far North District Council, Whangārei District Council and Northland Regional Council, which in August decided to keep their Māori wards. But with that decision, communities will be asked what they think of the wards' continuing existence in polling at the October elections. Paniora said it was unfair KDC could abolish its Māori ward without having to poll its people, but councils with Māori wards were required to poll to keep them. Polling has traditionally resulted in Māori ward plans failing. Paniora said 2025 polling about the future of Māori wards should be only for those voters on the Māori roll, as was the case for those voting for Māori ward councillors. She is the only Māori ward councillor in New Zealand to lose her position at the end of this current term because the ward is being abolished. Paniora will stand again in the Wairoa general ward for the council elections. She said doing so offered two-for-one, where she would continue to represent Māori as part of doing so for the wider community. About 40% of the west Kaipara ward's population is Māori. Paniora said Māori ward councillors in Northland and around New Zealand should make sure their communities know the value of these electoral areas. And she said people should make sure to get out and vote. Paniora also encouraged more Māori to stand in Māori wards, as councillors in these wards were kaitiaki (guardians) of the positions. She said that even if incoming Kaipara councillors decided to reinstate a Māori ward, it would be 2031 before that could happen. Paniora wanted the ward continued in Kaipara, because democracy required councils to represent the demographics of all their people. However, she said she wouldn't have stood in the ward, even if it had remained. Paniora said it was valuable for those who won a seat via a Māori ward to do their time in that arena, but then move into general wards, to allow others the opportunity to stand in the Māori ward. She said her time in what would be KDC's one-term Māori ward had been challenging. Paniora said she was young, Māori and a woman, in contrast to others on the council who were older, Pākehā and male. Since the 2022 local elections, KDC has canned karakia (ritual chants, prayers) to open and close council meetings and ended its Māori relationship agreements and associated funding with local iwi. Paniora was elected to Te Maruata, Local Government New Zealand's (LGNZ) Māori elected politicians' group in 2022, but this position ended when KDC pulled out of LGNZ. She recently won a Te Maruata award for her contribution to Māori. Paniora said it was ironic that the ward she named was disappearing. ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Letters: Maybe the Government should reward us with butter for reporting on road cones
The Minister for Workplace Relations wants motorists to report situations where they believe too many road cones are being used. The problem is that, like her, they wouldn't have a clue why road cones are used and what determines the numbers of cones used on any particular roadworks site. Roadworks construction sites are among the most dangerous of all construction work sites and for that we can partly thank the wonderful driving skills and utmost patience of the average New Zealand driver. Cones are spaced at distances (that determines their numbers) so as to deny drivers (as far as possible) the urge to change lanes, overtake others or to perform U-turns within the worksite, in addition to that most annoying of all factors, of actually slowing our vehicles down. The minister might consider visiting and observing the behaviour and activities of a busy site. She might then leave roadworker safety to people who know what they are doing. Ron Halewood, Rothesay Bay. Power to the people It is fantastic to see in the Herald (July 28) the first of four reports on the state of the power supply in New Zealand. For those of us who follow such aspects of our country's performance, it has been obvious for some years that we have been heading into serious trouble. It is also indeed sad that the people who now struggle the most to pay their power bills are those also struggling to pay for other necessities. Steve Clerk, Meadowbank. Respect for Māori I was very pleased to read Winston Peters' thoughtful comments on the immigrants flooding into Europe (July 27). He was quite concerned that those immigrants didn't salute the flag or respect the people who were there before them. Perhaps it's time that he reminded his coalition partners that New Zealand was not an empty space when the Pākehā arrived. The world of the Māori needs to be honoured, too. Terry Lord, Mt Wellington. Laws of the land We all know by now that Winston Peters will say something that resonates but may not be followed up. But I totally agree when he says that we should be very careful with immigration and, in particular, allowing it to change the fabric of our society. It is not at all a racist statement in that if you wish to come here to live, then you should be totally prepared to integrate and adapt to the culture of this country. Exactly the same in reverse applies when a Kiwi decides to live abroad. You have to accept that country's laws and culture, whether you like it or not. Paul Beck, West Harbour. Looting and influencing Winston Peters says immigrants are changing the fabric of the First World. Similarly, the colonisers changed the fabric of the independent and self-sufficient countries they went into, without permission being granted to do si. They did not just loot all the taonga but influenced the culture, fashion etc. Tsk tsk. Nishi Fahmy, Avondale. The impact of GST It is very sad that in this food-producing country that people need to choose between being warm or eating. GST, introduced by Sir Roger Douglas during the fourth Labour Government, had its last rise enacted under the Key Government, from 12.5% to 15%, while the top personal tax rate was lowered. This hit those who already spent most of their earnings on essentials but when the present government altered the tax thresholds, those on the least income barely benefited. It seems beyond those in power to look ahead and realise that today's children are the workers of the future and we need them to be healthy and educated. Those who are barely surviving are more likely to be filling hospital beds or have insufficient skills to be useful. Removing GST on dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables and perhaps bread or meat would be much easier than hoping some third grocery chain will come and provide competition. Is it too much to hope that politicians can look ahead and use common sense? It may even get them some votes in the next election. Phyl Belsham, Mt Albert.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
High Court judge criticises Oranga Tamariki, awards $108,000 to former foster parents
However, in 2021 Oranga Tamariki decided Moana should be removed from the Smiths and placed with a Māori mother and daughter in Wellington. The pair, the elderly 'Mrs Taipa' and her adult daughter 'Ms Taipa', were already caring for Moana's younger brother. Oranga Tamariki has been criticsed by more than one judge over the case. Photo / RNZ The Smiths successfully contested the bid in the Family Court, with Judge Peter Callinicos ruling in their favour and taking aim at Oranga Tamariki, its chief executive and members of its staff for putting ideology ahead of Moana's best interests, Stuff reported at the time. The girl's iwi also wanted her removed, telling Stuff they didn't think the Smiths could meet her cultural needs, but the couple claimed Oranga Tamariki had scuttled their attempts to provide cultural support. Moana had bonded with the Smiths and a new placement risked further psychological trauma, Judge Callinicos said at the time, outlining a plan where all parties could have input into the then 6-year-old's upbringing, including meeting her educational, cultural and health needs. An appeal to the High Court – made by Moana's mother with the support of Oranga Tamariki – was dismissed in November 2022. The Smiths subsequently applied for just over $108,000 indemnity costs against Oranga Tamariki. In a recently released High Court ruling Justice Helen Cull found in the couple's favour. Although it was Moana's mother who appealed the Family Court decision, Oranga Tamariki had supported her, Cull said. Fresh allegations were also made that the couple wasn't providing for Moana's cultural needs. 'I accept the Smiths' submission that there was a campaign by OT [Oranga Tamariki] against them to discredit them and this was pursued on appeal. 'The egregious aspect of this approach is that [Oranga Tamariki] continued to discredit and undermine the Smiths on appeal … the Smiths had no other option than to defend themselves in order to continue to care for Moana, to whom they were committed.' The case was also the principal case on which the amended provisions of the OT Act were considered and interpreted, Cull said. 'It drew significant public attention because a Pākehā couple, who had cared for a Māori child, were under scrutiny for their lack of cultural background and connection.' It was clear there'd been a policy change within the agency after Moana's placement with the Smiths, which was being driven by the organisation's senior management, she said. 'This led the frontline social workers to prioritise kinship placement over other considerations, such as the psychological attachment of Moana to the caregivers.' The Smiths stopped being Moana's foster parents after the appeal because 'ongoing personal attacks' made their living situation 'untenable', Mrs Smith told Stuff. 'I do hope she's safe and happy wherever she is, because that's all we ever wanted for her.' It 'spoke volumes' that indemnity costs were awarded, given they were done so only in 'exceptional circumstances', Smith told Stuff. Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
The Spinoff
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
The cost of being: A first-year teacher who's ‘obsessed with saving'
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a first-year English teacher explains where their money goes. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 22. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: First-year English teacher. Salary/income/assets: $64,083. My living location is: Suburban. Rent/mortgage per week: $0 – I live with my mother, but contribute to the bills. About $150 a week. Student loan or other debt payments per week: $30k student loan. Typical weekly food costs Groceries: My family handles all grocery shopping – I contribute $30 to a meal subscription service, which gives us three dinners a week. Eating out: Close to $100 – my friends and I are all foodies, and love to go out, usually about twice per week. Takeaways: Rolled in with eating out above. Workday lunches: I often partake in the weekly $2 school sausage sizzle. Cafe coffees/snacks: I might be the only teacher in Auckland who doesn't drink coffee – it saves me a lot of money. Other food costs: I splurge on little luxuries from the supermarket – nice cheese or pate. Savings: I am obsessed with saving, and have been my whole life. Apart from my restaurant habit, I control my own spending very tightly. I have $40k in savings, in the same bank account I made when I was 12. I worry about money: Sometimes. Three words to describe my financial situation: Tightfisted, privileged, union-dependant. My biggest edible indulgence would be: Kikorangi blue cheese. In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $0. In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $50 on petrol. I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: Well under $200 – I shop exclusively at op shops/thrift stores, and beg, borrow or make the rest. My most expensive clothing in the past year was: A pair of nice work pants, $25 at Savemart. My last pair of shoes cost: $150 hiking boots from Macpac, two years ago and still going strong. My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $0 – I don't wear makeup, and I cut my own hair (badly). My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $5 a week for my local pickleball league. My last Friday night cost: $25 for a plate of fish, plus $6 for parking – $31 all together. Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: A $42 plate of pasta at a posh Ponsonby restaurant… could have gotten better at any pub. Most indulgent purchase (that I don't regret) in the last 12 months was: A massive, $150 cake for my birthday. It was delicious, and lasted us a full week. One area where I'm a bit of a tightwad is: Clothing. I'm regularly wearing stuff that should be thrown out, but I believe in mending everything until it can't be worn without a public nudity charge. Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Scrooge-ish, food-motivated, saver, thrifty, dedicated. I grew up in a house where money was: Tight. We've always been a single parent household, and were on and off the benefit throughout my teenage years. Me starting work has really helped. The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Sometime in high school… 2018? In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Putting more into my KiwiSaver, moving up the teacher's pay scale, and perhaps being a bit more confident spending my money. I would love to have more money for: Travel! Describe your financial low: As a child, being very conscious of where money came from and what it meant to not have enough. It wasn't fun, but it made me appreciate the value of saving.
