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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

The energy election: What’s on offer for households?

Power bills have risen about 20% in just two years, while the big four electricity generating retailers have posted record profits. Against that backdrop, some commentators have dubbed this year’s contest the “energy election”.

Yeah, Nah Awards: The electricity market’s big year

Yeah, Nah Awards: Dr. Coffee espresso machine leaves a bitter taste

Best Fisher & Paykel washing machines

5 biggest robot vacuum trends of 2026


Baby & child

Free online GP visits for kids: What you need to know

Find out about free online GP visits for children under 14 years old in New Zealand, and where to get health advice if you can’t see your GP.

Kmart ordered to pay Christchurch parents $15k after asbestos found in play sand

Kmart ordered to pay Christchurch parents $15k after asbestos found in play sand

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

Why is this recalled toy still available online?

See all baby & child


Building & renovation

Lead awareness: Where is it hiding in your home?

We look into why lead exposure is dangerous and find out where you're likely to encounter lead around your house or in products.

How to stop mould growing in your home

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

See all building & renovation


Garden & outdoor

How to age well at home: Consumer’s room-by-room guide

Our complete guide to upgrading your home so you can stay in it for longer.

Legionnaires’ disease: How to stay safe around potting mix and compost

8 really great Father’s Day gift ideas

6 tips to keep your spa pool safe from Legionella bacteria

Lawn mower cutting grass.

Hardest and easiest to use lawn mowers

See all garden & outdoor


Drying laundry promo image

What’s the best way to dry laundry inside?

We trialled dryers, clothes horses and dehumidifiers to find the cheapest and most effective answer.

These 10 products are absolute bargains

10 perfectly lovely housewarming gifts

Most and least reliable dehumidifiers and air purifiers for 2026

European panel heaters: are Nobo and Noirot worth the price?

See all heating, cooling & air


Home energy

The energy election: What’s on offer for households?

Power bills have risen about 20% in just two years, while the big four electricity generating retailers have posted record profits. Against that backdrop, some commentators have dubbed this year’s contest the “energy election”.

Yeah, Nah Awards: The electricity market’s big year

5 biggest fridge trends of 2026

How politicians reacted to our energy petition handover

82,085 New Zealanders back Consumer’s plan to lower power bills

See all home energy


Household essentials

What’s the best Dyson vacuum for pet hair?

We currently have test results for eight Dyson vacuums – five stick vacs, two corded and one robot. Here’s what we found.

These 10 products are absolute bargains

10 perfectly lovely housewarming gifts

7 expensive products that are worth every cent

8 really great Father’s Day gift ideas

See all household essentials


Kitchen

Yeah, Nah Awards: Dr. Coffee espresso machine leaves a bitter taste

The Dr. Coffee H1 is an easy to use, automatic coffee maker for home use – find out why we’ve given it a Yeah, Nah Award for not living up to our espresso expectations.

5 biggest fridge trends of 2026

5 things I learnt in my first week with an Instant Pot

These 10 products are absolute bargains

10 perfectly lovely housewarming gifts

See all kitchen


Laundry & cleaning

Best Fisher & Paykel washing machines

Fisher & Paykel top loaders are part of New Zealand culture. Before you buy, check our reviews to see which perform well for dirt removal, gentleness and more.

5 biggest washing machine trends of 2026

7 futuristic things stick vacuums can do in 2026

Drying laundry promo image

What’s the best way to dry laundry inside?

These 10 products are absolute bargains

See all laundry & cleaning


Vacuums & floorcare

5 biggest robot vacuum trends of 2026

From self-care to climbing stairs, here's the coolest and craziest vacuuming innovations we’ve spotted in 2026.

7 futuristic things stick vacuums can do in 2026

What’s the best Dyson vacuum for pet hair?

7 expensive products that are worth every cent

Most and least reliable vacuum cleaners for 2026

See all vacuums & floorcare