Join ConsumerLoginDonate
  • Consumer NZ
  • About us
  • Consumer rights and advice
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Community guidelines
  • Contact us
  • Membership
  • Join
  • Membership support
  • Consumer magazine
  • Consumer Advice Line
  • Top tests and reviews
  • Other sites
  • Campaigns
  • Stop misleading supermarket pricing
  • Fix the broken electricity market
  • Flight rights
  • Stamp out scams
  • Right to repair
  • End greenwashing now
  • Fair repayment for retirement village residents

Follow us

© Copyright Consumer NZ. All rights reserved.
<Home
  1. Home/
  2. Cost of living

Cost of living

The cost of living in New Zealand continues to impact household budgets. Consumer NZ provides practical advice, money-saving strategies, and consumer insights to help you manage expenses and make informed financial decisions.

4 May 2026
Person saving money.

4 simple ways to save $3000 in 2026

With some small adjustments to your spending habits, you could save thousands of dollars in 2026.

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

We gave Making Cents podcast host Frances Cook our best advice for surviving the constantly increasing cost-of-living crisis.
Image of a guy at the supermarket self check out

Expert shares 8 ways to save money at the supermarket using unit pricing

We asked Ian for his tips on using unit pricing – what he calls the “grocery shopper’s best friend” – to save money. Here’s what he shared.
Back to school costs promo

How to save money on back-to-school costs

Tips to tackle start-of-year spending.
Car insurance.

Can you save money on your car insurance? Yes – here’s how

Here's an easy way to ask for a discount on your car insurance.
Water heating water heating systems promotion

How to save money on your hot water bill without risking your health

Find out how to save money on your hot water bill without risking your health.
Unit pricing comcom promo

Unit pricing – the secret to saving at the supermarket

Learn how unit pricing can help you save on your grocery shopping.
Image of butter

10 ways to get around the crazy cost of butter

Butter prices are the highest they’ve been in two years. Read our 10 tips to help you get more bang for your butter buck.
Insurance premium width

8 ways to save on insurance

Our top tips for bringing premiums down.

Latest cost of living news & articles

Stay updated with the latest news, research, and expert commentary on cost of living trends and consumer financial matters.

Woman using laptop.

3 of the best cheap laptops – and 3 to steer clear of

Discover which cheap laptop PCs from brands like Lenovo and Acer excelled in our independent testing and which cheap computers you should avoid.
Girl driving car, checking GPS.

5 tricks to use less petrol when you're driving

Baby playing with toys

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

Broken lightbulb.

Power profits surge to $547 million while power bills rise

What’s going on with home insurance?

Comments

Get access to comment
Join Consumer
Log in

Was this page helpful?