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Shopping

Smart shopping means finding value, avoiding scams, and knowing your rights whether you're buying online, in supermarkets, or at the local shops. Our advice helps you shop confidently and protect yourself from misleading claims.

Deals & savings

Could ‘smart hot water’ lower your power bill?

Meridian, Powershop, Octopus Energy and Electric Kiwi all say their smart hot water programmes mean lower power bills for eligible customers. Here’s how they work.

True or false? Bundled power and broadband deals are cheaper

Consumer Recommended deals

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

Four cost-of-living hacks we gave Frances Cook – and one she gave us

See all deals & savings


Everyday shopping

26 pricing errors in one grocery shop

What to do if you’re overcharged for groceries at a New Zealand supermarket.

9 of the best things to buy at Kmart

8 products that get near-perfect scores

Product trends we love … and loathe

The Fine Print: Foodstuffs’ Club+ card

See all everyday shopping


Food & drink

26 pricing errors in one grocery shop

What to do if you’re overcharged for groceries at a New Zealand supermarket.

Review: Bunnings’ $99 electric pizza oven

8 things you shouldn’t cook in an air fryer

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

New Zealanders stretched by food costs want tougher action on supermarket pricing

See all food & drink


Online shopping

Kiwibank customers paying extra for Airbnb, Spotify and more

Kiwibank is the only major bank to charge a fee on all transactions processed offshore – even purchases made locally in New Zealand dollars.

The Fine Print: What’s behind Trade Me’s move to scrap success fees?

9 of the best things to buy at Kmart

Product trends we love … and loathe

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

See all online shopping


Packaging, labelling & advertising

Are Snoozu’s 'money-back guarantees' really what they seem?

Pillow company Snoozu offers customers a 60-day money-back guarantee – but customers say the guarantee is useless once the packaging is opened and the pillows are used.

Health star ratings step closer to becoming mandatory on packaged foods

7 supermarket products that have shrunk in size or quality

Frozen food in supermarket.

Why some frozen foods don't need a use-by or best-before date

Chemical structure of lilial.

Lilial is now banned in cosmetics, so why is it still everywhere?

See all packaging, labelling & advertising


Supermarkets

26 pricing errors in one grocery shop

What to do if you’re overcharged for groceries at a New Zealand supermarket.

Consumer NZ says loyalty data for grocery discounts could push supermarket prices even higher

Which NZ supermarket has the cheapest groceries in 2026?

The Fine Print: Foodstuffs’ Club+ card

New Zealanders stretched by food costs want tougher action on supermarket pricing

See all supermarkets