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

Guide to getting off gas: Why it’s time to disconnect and how to do it

Learn ow quickly gas production is falling, how much you can save by disconnecting and what you can do to start electrifying your home.

Product trends we love … and loathe

Is Kmart’s E-Calendar any good? Or should you buy a TRMNL?

Is it worth paying extra for a smart appliance?

2 dehumidifiers to avoid + 3 we recommend

Baby & child

5 cheap products that actually make parenting easier

Make mornings, car rides, lunchbox-packing, showers and toothbrushing with kids easier with these cheap products – all available in New Zealand.

Washing machine safety regulations tightened to avoid child deaths

NZ's outdated safety laws aren't protecting kids from Temu and Shein risks

Bring your own device: how to choose a laptop, Chromebook or tablet for school

Do toys from Amazon, eBay, Shein and Temu contain unsafe heavy metals?

See all baby & child

Building & renovation

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

Find out if you’re eligible for an insulation or heat pump grant with Warmer Kiwi Homes to get your house sorted in time for winter.

Building inspections are crucial – can you trust them?

How to protect your home from flooding

Garden maintenance

Home improvements: The healthy homes standards five years on

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.

Hardest and easiest to use lawn mowers

Best and worst portable BBQs

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

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a lawn mower

See all garden & outdoor

Guide to getting off gas: Why it’s time to disconnect and how to do it

Learn ow quickly gas production is falling, how much you can save by disconnecting and what you can do to start electrifying your home.

2 dehumidifiers to avoid + 3 we recommend

Consumer unveils four-point plan to tackle soaring power prices

5 common heat pump buying mistakes

We tried Kmart’s comical heating products – which one is best?

See all heating, cooling & air

Home energy

Guide to getting off gas: Why it’s time to disconnect and how to do it

Learn ow quickly gas production is falling, how much you can save by disconnecting and what you can do to start electrifying your home.

5 fascinating things we learned while creating our winter issue of Consumer

Consumer unveils four-point plan to tackle soaring power prices

Consumer NZ says no energy retailer deserves People’s Choice accolade

Best and worst power companies in New Zealand in 2026

See all home energy

Household essentials

Product trends we love … and loathe

Read about the product trends we love and hate in New Zealand.

Is Kmart’s E-Calendar any good? Or should you buy a TRMNL?

Is it worth paying extra for a smart appliance?

The new Club+ vs Everyday Rewards: Which supermarket loyalty card is better?

The 3 places in your home that Legionella bacteria may be lurking

See all household essentials

Kitchen

Product trends we love … and loathe

Read about the product trends we love and hate in New Zealand.

Clooney’s capsules or Pitt’s beans: Which espresso machine is best?

The most and least reliable fridges in NZ

How long will food last in the fridge once it is opened?

Kitchen appliance brand Smeg is coming back

See all kitchen

Laundry & cleaning

Product trends we love … and loathe

Read about the product trends we love and hate in New Zealand.

How much does it cost to run a washing machine if you’re on metered water?

Front loader vs top loader washing machines: Which is better?

Why we love vented clothes dryers and which ones are best

Best auto-dosing washing machines in NZ (and the detergents to use)

See all laundry & cleaning

Vacuums & floorcare

Product trends we love … and loathe

Read about the product trends we love and hate in New Zealand.

2 robot vacuums to avoid

Is the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum cleaner worth buying?

Is the Kmart robot vacuum cleaner any good?

Will a third-party vacuum cleaner bag kill your vacuum?

See all vacuums & floorcare