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Home & living

Our comprehensive guides and product reviews help you make informed choices that suit your budget and lifestyle, so you can spend more time enjoying your home and less time worrying about whether you've made the right purchase.

Latest in home & living

Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Should I buy a dehumidifier with an air purifier?

Best Bosch washing machines

Electric heaters

Most reliable heating products

Do good things come in small packages?


Baby & child

How easy is it to buy a banned toy in New Zealand? Consumer NZ exposes product safety gaps

Consumer NZ is warning that gaps in Aotearoa’s product safety system are leaving shoppers exposed, after finding a toy banned in the United Kingdom can still be bought here through online marketplaces.

Why is this recalled toy still available online?

9 of the best things to buy at Kmart

5 cheap products that actually make parenting easier

Image of duvet in washing machine

Washing machine safety regulations tightened to avoid child deaths

See all baby & child


Building & renovation

How to stop mould growing in your home

Find out how to stop mould growing in your home and tips for removing mould from damp areas.

It’s the perfect time to get your home ready for winter

Building inspections are crucial – can you trust them?

How to protect your home from flooding

Garden house boundary hero

Garden maintenance

See all building & renovation


Garden & outdoor

6 tips to keep your spa pool safe from Legionella bacteria

Learn how to keep your spa pool or hot tub safe from dangerous Legionella bacteria.
Lawn mower cutting grass.

Hardest and easiest to use lawn mowers

Cooking sausages on a BBQ.

Best and worst portable BBQs

Potting mix and compost: How to keep safe from dangerous bacteria

Man using lawn mower.

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a lawn mower

See all garden & outdoor


Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Should I buy a dehumidifier with an air purifier?

Electric heaters

Most reliable heating products

Should I upgrade to Wi-Fi panel heaters?

Curtains in home

How to choose the best curtains for your rental home

See all heating, cooling & air


Home energy

Woman looking distressed at power bill.

Thousands look to leave Powershop after new app rollout

Powershop customers are fed up with high power bills and ongoing problems with the company’s new app.

We invited the political parties to an energy debate – here are 4 cracker quotes from the night

5 questions with our CEO

Should I upgrade to Wi-Fi panel heaters?

Could ‘smart hot water’ lower your power bill?

See all home energy


Household essentials

Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Best Bosch washing machines

Consumer picks: 9 products we bought ourselves

It’s time to clean your front-loading washing machine – here’s how

NZ mattress buying guide 2026: Best & worst brands

See all household essentials


Kitchen

Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Do good things come in small packages?

Consumer picks: 9 products we bought ourselves

5 expensive products that tanked in our tests

Review: Bunnings’ $99 electric pizza oven

See all kitchen


Laundry & cleaning

Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Best Bosch washing machines

Do good things come in small packages?

Consumer picks: 9 products we bought ourselves

It’s time to clean your front-loading washing machine – here’s how

See all laundry & cleaning


Vacuums & floorcare

Should you buy appliances from outlet stores?

Outlet appliance stores can be a cheap way to buy whiteware in New Zealand. But there are risks to buying refurbished or open-box goods from factory stores or Harvey Norman outlet stores. Know what they are to avoid buying a dud.

Should I buy a robot vacuum cleaner for my carpets?

True or false: 10 common beliefs about robot vacuums

Product trends we love … and loathe

Robot vacuum on wooden floor.

2 robot vacuums to avoid

See all vacuums & floorcare