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Whittaker’s takes action to manage challenges in global cocoa supply
Whittaker’s takes action to manage challenges in global cocoa supply

While Whittaker’s has to date sourced only Ghanaian cocoa beans to make its chocolate, it is now supplementing this with cocoa beans that meet its quality and ethical standards from other parts of Africa. Whittaker’s Chocolate Lovers will see changes to its packaging to reflect the cocoa origin change from next month.​ 

New Zealand Fish & Game sees call to remove advocacy as misguided
New Zealand Fish & Game sees call to remove advocacy as misguided

Fish & Game manages trout, salmon, and game birds and helps New Zealanders to connect with nature and experience the many benefits fishing and hunting offers.  A call to completely remove Fish & Game’s advocacy function is misguided and fails to understand the role the organisation plays, says Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan. 

Recreational Fishing Nets Big Gains for Region - Hydro Canal Fishery Contributes $13.6 Million to Mackenzie Basin Economy
Recreational Fishing Nets Big Gains for Region - Hydro Canal Fishery Contributes $13.6 Million to Mackenzie Basin Economy

New research shows that recreational freshwater fishing contributes millions of dollars to the Mackenzie Basin and that local businesses and communities land the gains. Central South Island Fish & Game Council (CSIFGC) today released the results of a groundbreaking economic impact assessment conducted in partnership with the University of Otago and Meridian Energy. 

Urban BBQ Festival | Hastings
Urban BBQ Festival | Hastings

BBQ lovers are in for more meaty goodness in November when the Urban BBQ Festival returns to Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings. Once again the Demo Stage hosts a full afternoon of demonstrations that will take your pitmaster skills to the next level. Butterfly a leg of lamb, serve some smokey cocktails and cheese, master ribs and brisket, and get that crackling crispy on a homemade porchetta.

Whittaker’s indulges fruit lovers with two new Artisan Collection flavours
Whittaker’s indulges fruit lovers with two new Artisan Collection flavours

Whittaker’s is delighted to bring back two fruit lovers’ favourites, Raspberry & New Zealand Strawberry 100g, and Gisborne Orange & Hazelnut 100g, now showcasing local ingredients, as part of its core New Zealand Artisan Collection.  

Ready, steady, fish! Freshwater season licenses now on sale
Ready, steady, fish! Freshwater season licenses now on sale

Fishing licences are on sale today as anticipation builds for the upcoming season. “Spring is on its way, and today marks a key date in the diary for keen anglers,” said Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan. “With the season starting on October 1, it’s a good idea for anglers to get in early and grab their licence so they can focus on sorting their gear and planning trips with friends.

Spawning monitoring – measuring to manage 
Spawning monitoring – measuring to manage 

Fish & Game staff throughout the country are busy conducting spawning surveys for trout and salmon to ensure there are sustainable fisheries for the future and to check up on stream and river health. Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan said there were a range of ways to monitor spawning, from using fish traps to walking up a stream and counting. 

Featured Artist - Catherine Macdonald
Featured Artist - Catherine Macdonald

New Zealand artist Catherine Macdonald creates drawings & prints, makes & illustrates objects & furniture, and writes, illustrates & publishes books.

Artwork - Just as they fall (Catherine MacDonald)

Featured Artist - Kimbra Taylor
Featured Artist - Kimbra Taylor

Kimbra has a Diploma in Visual Communications from the Wellington School of Design and a teacher's certificate.

“I worked in an advertising agency as an illustrator and visualiser, The Evening Post as an illustrator and then became a freelance illustrator. I worked with Thomas Nelson publishing firm and illustrated many children's books. One of the paintings from a book I illustrated was given to the author for her birthday. I felt very honoured and delighted to be able to share this with her as a gift.” Kimbra shares

Appointments to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board
Appointments to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board

The Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Hon. Todd McClay, has appointed board members to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust. The Game Bird Habitat Trust is an independent public entity established under the Wildlife Act 1953. Its functions include improving New Zealand’s game bird habitat and the habitat of other wildlife.

Consumers price index increases 7.2 percent

Consumers price index increases 7.2 percent

kip Brook
Make Lemonade

Te Whanganui a Tara - The consumers price index increased 7.2 percent annually in the September 2022 quarter, Stats NZ says.

The 7.2 percent increase follows an annual increase of 7.3 percent in the June 2022 quarter, and an annual increase of 6.9 percent in the March 2022 quarter.

The main driver for the 7.2 percent annual inflation to the September 2022 quarter was housing and household utilities due to rising prices for construction, rentals for housing, and local authority rates.

Prices for the construction of a new house increased 17 percent in the September 2022 quarter compared with the September 2021 quarter.

The cost to construct a new house has continued to rise with supply-chain issues, labour costs, and higher demand, all of which combine to push up prices.

The 17 percent annual increase in construction of a new house in the September quarter follows 18 percent annual increases in both the June and March 2022 quarters.

Rental prices for housing had an annual increase of 4.6 percent in the September 2022 quarter. This follows an annual increase of 4.3 percent in the June 2022 quarter.

Local authority rates had an annual increase of 7.3 percent in September 2022 quarter. This compares with a 7.1 percent annual increase in the September 2021 quarter.

Rates are captured once a year in the September quarter, as this is when ratepayers see price changes set by councils.

How housing costs are measured in consumer price indexes at Stats NZ has more information on how housing is captured in the consumers price index.

After housing and household utilities, the next largest contributor to the annual increase was from the transport group, due to higher prices for petrol and diesel.

Petrol prices increased 19 percent in the year to the September 2022 quarter. Diesel prices increased 72 percent over the same period.

The consumers price index rose 2.2 percent in the September 2022 quarter compared with the June 2022 quarter, mainly influenced by the food group and the housing and household utilities group.

In the September 2022 quarter, compared with the June 2022 quarter, vegetable prices rose 24 percent.

This is the largest quarterly rise in vegetable prices since the series began in September 1999. Tomatoes, lettuce, and broccoli drove this rise in vegetable prices.

kip Brook
Make Lemonade
kip Brook

Kip Brook has more than 25 years’ international and national news media experience. He was appointed to London in 1997 to be New Zealand media’s UK-Europe Bureau Chief Correspondent. Kip has covered NZ Prime Minister overseas tours, world leaders’ summits, major disasters, All Black tours, NZ cricket team tours, Olympic Games and many international events. He has won three NZ journalist of the year media awards.

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Research shows it's how often not how much

Research shows it's how often not how much
Big increase in Kiwis recycling plastics

Big increase in Kiwis recycling plastics

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