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Gordon Harcourt - Source: Fair Go -
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LENDING
REPORTER: Gordon Harcourt
Podcast: As some of you will know, Gordon earned himself a surprise souvenir while filming a story on loans this week.
Events have over taken this story but we planned it because the Government is holding a summit on responsible lending next week.
Loan sharking, fringe lending, call it what you want there is a frighteningly big chunk of Kiwis who use these outfits.
This story is an example of a loan we think should never have been offered or accepted.
During the course of filming Gordon was involved in a fracas that has resulted in a 47-year-old company director appearing in court charged with assault and wilful damage.
WHAT WE'RE SPENDING
Reporter: Hannah Wallis
Podcast: A look at what the average Kiwi is spending and what they're spending it on - country versus city, region to region, north to south.
Statistics New Zealand does a Household Economic Survey every three years - we asked them to work out what different parts of the country were earning and spending - comparing city to city, and town versus rural. The big earners - and big spenders - were Wellingtonians - up to $500 better off than those living just out of the city, and about $300 better off than Aucklanders.
In the South Island rural and urban incomes are pretty similar, around the 4950 mark, and for all of New Zealand, the stats show the townies and city folk are only pulling about $160 more a week than their country cousins. Christchurch city incomes - and these are pre-quake stats - are almost $400 lower a week than those in the Christchurch region. For eating out and alcohol consumption, again it's Wellington at the top of the list, with the south of the South Island spending most on smokes and tobacco. (For all of these figures, go to our two video items on spending)
About 25% of our income goes on house expenses, largely mortgage and rent:
North of North Island rent $215.60 urban / $166.60 rural; mortgage 317.00 urban / 346.20 rural
Auckland rent $288.30 urban / $273.80 rural; mortgage $456.90 urban / $415.20 rural
South of North Island rent $207.50 urban /$134.20 rural; mortgage $352.70 urban / $193.50 rural
Wellington rent $302.70 urban / $96.20 rural; mortgage $356.40 urban / $278.40 rural
Christchurch rent $234.20 urban / $216.50 ;mortgage $284.90 / $271.10
South Island rent $195.80 urban / $186.30 rural; mortgage $295.70 urban / $214.30 rural
And 18% of our spend goes on Groceries:
North of North island $161.90 urban / $155.70 rural ; Auckland $192.10 urban / $220.00 rural
South of North Island $157.30 urban / $146.00 rural ; Wellington $212.00 urban / $171.60 rural
Christchurch $168.00 urban / $173.60 rural ; South Island $170.10 urban / $172.90 rural
Quiz figures:
(Weekly spend - Statistics New Zealand Household Economic Survey)
Top selling fruit - Banana $2,727,000; Apples $1,887,700; Orange $800,500; Manderin $763,500
Top Selling vege - Tomato $1,902,300; Potato $1,897,700; Mushroom $1,009,400; Onion $718,700
Top Selling meat - Beef $8,191,700; Chicken $7,636, 300; Lamb $2,720,600; Pork $2,326,000
Top Selling fish - Fish/ shellfish $6,857, 700; Salmon $843,500; Tarakihi $250,800; Gurnard $114, 900
4-LEGGED EXCLUSIONS
Reporter: Ruwani Perera
Podcast: These days you can get pet insurance to cover your precious moggy or doggie should anything go wrong, but it seems four-legged animals have the same insurance gripes that we two-legged creatures come across when dealing with insurance companies.
New Zealanders might have a higher rate of pet ownership per capita than anywhere else in the world, but fewer than five per cent of us take out an insurance policy on our precious pets. That figure might be rising though with major insurance companies climbing on board the pet insurance bandwagon.
Insurance lawyer Andrew Hooker says compared to medical insurance for humans, the cost of pet insurance is a high price.
Colleen Elliott decided to fork out for pet insurance for her Cavalier King Charles pedigree dog, Emma. But her claim for Emma's vet bills were turned down by Pet N Sure because of a curly exclusion.
