There’s nothing Kiwis like better than spending summer outdoors; at the beach, the Bach, or by the BBQ. And summer’s a great time for getting things done around the home too, with the fine weather an added incentive to get out and tackle the garden and those DIY jobs you’ve put off all winter. But before you head out, here are some safety reminders and our top tips for a super safe summer in New Zealand.

Whether or not life insurance is something you decide to add to your financial plan will largely depend on your current financial and personal situation. And while it may be hard to imagine anything going wrong while we’re fit and healthy, it’s still important to think about what would happen if you were unable to earn a living. How would those who rely on you survive financially? In this article, we’ll look at 5 reasons why we believe life insurance is worth the cost.

Warmer temperatures and more sunshine hours signal the beginning of spring, and for many of us, time to spring clean. A thorough spring clean of your home has a number of health benefits. Aside from helping strengthen your immune system and avoid illnesses, cleaning and organising the space you spend most of your time in can actually boost your mood and help you focus better. Here are five ways you can benefit from spring cleaning along with tips on what tasks to prioritise.

Ongoing lockdown restrictions have meant many New Zealanders are facing serious financial hardship. Those families that are still struggling from previous lockdowns will be hardest hit, and many will be tempted to turn to easy access, high-interest debt in order to pay for day to day expenses. If you are struggling financially – unable to repay existing debt, maintain your mortgage repayments, or simply put food on the table – please reach out for help. Here are some options.

Homeowners who commit more than 30 per cent of their after-tax income to paying the mortgage are likely to be feeling a form of financial stress known as “mortgage stress”. And with around 40 percent of all lending done to borrowers with debts that are five or more times their before-tax income*, as well as the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 – including redundancy, reduced work hours, or illness – it’s not hard to see why mortgage stress is a growing concern in New Zealand.