Kiwi Activist Given Rare Access to Monitor Assange’s Final UK Hearing
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : 20/02/2024
Statement: Spokesperson: Aotearoa 4 Assange, Matt Ó Branáin.
Tomorrow, February 20 in London, Australian Journalist Julian Assange faces perhaps his final chance to avoid extradition to the U.S.
I am a Free Assange activist from New Zealand, who has been following the case almost full time for 4.5 years, and campaigning through Europe and the UK since October 2022, since I inspired a human chain of 8,000 around the British Parliament to free Julian.
Tomorrow I will be outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London as Julian faces his last chance to avoid extradition to the U.S. I will be staging a Photo Action outside along with Italian artist Davide Dormino, inviting the public to stand on a chair and make a photograph to share.
What has surprised me is I have been granted last-minute access to monitor the hearings remotely, a privilege not granted to many journalists, excluding almost anyone outside England and Wales, and major media organisations in Australia and the U.S. including Fox News.
Julian faces a 175 year sentence for activities described as ‘common journalistic practices’ by the editors of the five major international Newspapers he collaborated with on the 2010 publications he is indicted for.
The charges are unprecedented. The U.S. seeks to prosecute him for publishing leaked evidence of war crimes in Iraq, which are credited with ending the illegal invasion. If ending a war with truthful journalism is a crime, what chance do we have of preventing further atrocities? Why has this case dragged on so long when every major Human Rights group has called for his freedom? Why has a case of this magnitude not yet provoked more outcry from the media and the public?
In Australia at least it has reached a crescendo. The Australian Parliament last week voted with a two thirds majority to demand the U.S. and UK free Julian. Polls show as much as 90% of the public think he should be freed.
With such a clear mandate, it would seem profoundly unwise for the US and UK to risk snubbing such a clear request from such a vital ally?The shared values of our long-standing partnership with the U.S. and UK are what is on trial. Because what do we need the might of the U.S. Army to defend us from exactly, if not from those that jail our journalists for revealing their war crimes?
—
Attached image:
Matt Ó Branáin.
Spokesperson: Aotearoa 4 Assange
- IMG_2079
- : Matt Ó Branáin
- : Spokesperson: Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : Matt.O.Branain@protonmail.com
- : 447849825761
- : https://www.a4a.nz/
PODCAST – When All the World’s Failings End in Gaza
- : Multimedia Investments Ltd
- : 23/10/2023
PODCAST: In this the tenth episode of A View from Afar for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and journalist/analyst Selwyn Manning examine the current Israel-Palestine Atrocities.
As we prepared for this podcast, representatives of Arab states have presented a united front at the United Nations, criticising the UN Security Council of doing nothing to protect civilians from Israeli bombing and missile attacks on Gazan civilians and locations.
Since then, the UN Security Council has considered two resolutions, the latter calling for a pause in hostilities to allow a humanitarian effort to enter Gaza to assist civilians.
The United States vetoed that Security Council resolution.
Al Jazeera has detailed that Israel forces have targeted and bombed civilian facilities include Hospitals, schools, residential areas resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, civilians, – around one-third of the deaths are children.
It remains contested by all sides in this conflict as to who, or what, is responsible for the deadly attack on Gaza Hospital, resulting in the deaths of over 471 people.
Additional to this, Israel has sealed the borders of Gaza while it prevents food, water and medical supplies from reaching civilians – in breach of international law requirements and laws of conflict.
Israel ordered Gazan civilians, who wish to get to safety, to get out of North Gaza and move toward the south, to the border with Egypt. But as people fled south toward what appeared to be safety, Israel bombed the southern Gaza region killing more civilians and sealing off that corridor for others who sought refuge.
As a consequence of the bombing, Egypt responded by sealing the Gaza-Egypt border.
Humanitarian aid now sits on trucks, waiting, on the Egypt side of the border, while United Nations officials implore Israel and Egypt to allow medical supplies, food and water to get through to those who are injured and dying.
The Israel Defence Force strikes followed a surprise-attack on Israeli citizens by soldiers operating under the Hamas banner.
Civilians were slaughtered and others taken hostage, only to be used as bargaining chips and leverage against their enemies.
Even Palestinian advocacy groups like the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa suggested that breaches of international humanitarian Law, crimes against civilians, have been committed by those Hamas-aligned fighters. But they are clear, as others are too, that crimes against humanity, war crimes, have been committed by Israel, without consequence, as we all give witness to its response which is disproportionate, brutal, and disregarding of the thousands of Palestinian lives that have already been taken.
That’s the current situation. It is likely to get much worse.
In this episode, our questions will include:
What are the world’s leaders doing to stop the carnage?
Are the world’s nations being drawn into what will be an ever-expanding war?
Are we witnessing the beginning of a war where on one side authoritarian-led states like Russia, Iran, the wider Arab states, and possibly China stand unified against the United States, Britain, Germany, and other so-called liberal democratic allies representing the old world order?
Is what we are witnessing, what happens when a global rules-based order, multilateralism and institutions like the United Nations no longer have influence to prevent war, or restore peace and stability, or assert principles of international justice and enforce the rights of victims to see recourse to the law?
Why has this slaughter become an opportunity for the US and Russia to square-off against each other at the UN Security Council – a body that was once designed to advocate and achieve peace, but has now become a geopolitically divided entity of stalemate and mediocrity?
Eventually, will humanitarianism prevail? Will the world recognise that all people, the elderly, women, children, people of all ethnicities and religions, that they all bleed and die irrespective of their state of origin, when leaders of all sides, while sitting back in their bunkers, unleash weapons designed to kill as many people as is possible?
In this episode, Paul and Selwyn examine this most grave situation from a geopolitical vantage point. It may appear as dispassionate, and as so even disturbing, but we will take this approach in an attempt to aide an understanding of why this is happening in Gaza and why it is happening now.
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments.
To interact during the live recording of this podcast, go to: Youtube.com/c/EveningReport/
You can also subscribe to A View from Afar Podcast on:
- Screen-Shot-2022-12-15-at-2.10.40-PM-copy
- : https://www.youtube.com/live/NRuObMSC4ns?si=H_b-OpXpYFLY4-HA
- : https://eveningreport.nz/podcast-download/1084174/podcast-when-all-the-worlds-failings-end-in-gaza.m4a
- : Selwyn Manning
- : Managing Director and Founder
- : selwyn@milnz.co.nz
- : 6421611958
- : https://milnz.co.nz
- https://youtube.com/c/EveningReport/
PODCAST: How and Why Democracy is Backsliding Around the World – Buchanan and Manning
- : Multimedia Investments Ltd
-
A View from Afar – In this the seventh episode of A View from Afar podcast for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the strengths and weaknesses of democracy around the world.
In particular Paul and Selwyn consider how and why democracy in many countries around the world is on the slide.
They examine the causes of democratic backsliding and also test why the erosion of high democratic ideas have, in many cases, popular support.
First, Paul gives us a context and defines democratic backsliding.
He identifies the countries that are decisively eroding their own democracies of principles that were once embraced by both power elites and citizenry.
The Questions:
• Why are we seeing more democratic backsliding in recent times?
• Is it just a political phenomenon or does it extend beyond the political sphere?
• Where has democratic backsliding been most evident?
• What do Chile, Guatemala, Israel and Thailand have in common?
INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:
Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments. To interact during live recordings of A View from Afar podcasts, go to YouTube Remember to subscribe to the channel and be notified of future episodes.
For the on-demand audience, you can also keep the conversation going by clicking on one of the social media channels below:
- YouTube
- Facebook.com/selwyn.manning
- Twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning
—
Participants in this podcast can be contacted via email below:
- Dr Paul G. Buchanan: email Paul@36th-Parallel.com
- Selwyn Manning: email Selwyn@milnz.nz
You can follow A View from Afar via our affiliate syndicators including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music and where all good podcasts are found.
RECOGNITION:
The MIL Network’s podcast A View from Afar was Nominated as a Top Defence Security Podcast by Threat.Technology – a London-based cyber security news publication.
Threat.Technology placed A View from Afar at 9th in its 20 Best Defence Security Podcasts of 2021 category.
ENDS
- A View from Afar presenters
- : https://www.youtube.com/c/EveningReport
- : https://eveningreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AVFA_S04_E07_Final.m4a
- : Selwyn Manning
- : Managing Director and Founder
- : selwyn@milnz.nz
- : 6421611958
- : https://eveningreport.nz
- https://www.youtube.com/c/EveningReport | https://facebook.com/selwyn.manning | https://twitter.com/Selwyn_Manning | https://www.linkedin.com/in/selwyn-manning-68514746/
KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE: QUEENSTOWN VISIONARIES BRING THE USD $1.5B+ GLOBAL LUXURY HOLIDAY HOME CO-OWNERSHIP WAVE DOWN UNDER
- : Second Home Co-Ownership
- : 24/05/2023
Move over Uber and Airbnb, the latest sharing economy to boom is the holiday home. It’s no wonder why… Who doesn’t want a multimillion-dollar, luxury holiday home for 1/8th the cost? Here’s how.
Queenstown, New Zealand – The appeal of owning a holiday home is undeniable. It’s exciting to imagine having a special place in another part of the country or world where you can create amazing memories with family and friends.
However, the cost can be difficult to justify in today’s market, especially if the home is only used for a few weeks each year. As a result, a global trend is seeing financially astute and environmentally savvy families drastically reduce the cost, responsibility, and environmental footprint of second home ownership through co-ownership.
In fact, co-ownership has become so popular that an American provider has recently received $1.5B valuation since its 2020 inception and more than 2 million USA holiday homes are co-owned.
Now, New Zealand/Australian co-ownership experts John and Sharon Russell have launched their latest business venture, Second Home, to help Kiwi and Australian families safely and reliably establish affordable second home co-ownership for themselves at 1/8 the cost.
The Queenstown visionaries possess 24 years’ experience with co-ownership having introduced syndicated boat ownership to the Australian and New Zealand markets in 1999.
“We have designed a practical and affordable way to fulfil the dream of owning a holiday home and creating those amazing memories of family holidays that become such a profound part of our lives,” said John and Sharon.
Second Home brings eight like-minded individuals together to own the title to their dream holiday home, enjoy it exclusively for six or more weeks each year and benefit from any market appreciation, whilst paying only a fraction of the cost.
Co-ownership significantly reduces the upfront and ongoing costs associated with owning a property and Second Home ensures the property is looked after and managed.
“We are excited to co-own a stunning property in Queenstown valued at approximately eight times what I have invested, with like-minded families. It’s affordable and flexible, allowing us to spend quality time together in one of the most beautiful parts of the world,” said Peter Hamilton, Second Home owner.
“Homes are luxuriously furnished, and a personal concierge is on hand to ensure that all is set up for your arrival. On departure, just lock up and leave and Second Home takes care of the rest.”
Second Home property locations include New Zealand (Queenstown Central, Jack’s Point in Queenstown, and Wanaka) and Italy (Mercatello sul Metauro and Venice) with the Gold Coast on the horizon.
From an investment of only NZD$316,000, suitable buyers can co-own one of these multimillion-dollar homes for themselves.
“So far, the interest and uptake have surpassed our expectations. Our first Queenstown property was so popular and went so quickly, that we secured two more in Queenstown and another in Wanaka.
“We only just started marketing Jack’s Point last week and two of eight co-owners have already purchased.”
“In uncertain financial times we have historically seen tremendous interest in the co-ownership model for both boats and holiday properties. During 2007 to 2009 our business Riviera Syndication experienced an increase in sales due to owners still wanting the leisure experience, but also wanting to be cautious with their investments.”
Co-ownership is also sustainable. “Instead of holiday homes sitting empty for a large portion of the year, we are seeing families embrace co-ownership and reduce their carbon footprint, while also boosting the local economy with more frequent visitors.
“It’s the perfect way to holiday and invest in real estate at the same time.”
For more information and full listing details, visit www.secondhome.co.nz or contact John Russell at +64 21 854 597 or jrussell@secondhome.co.nz or Sharon Russell at +64 21 863 759 or srussell@secondhome.co.nz.
About Second Home
Second Home is founded by experienced co-ownership pioneers and boutique lifestyle experts John and Sharon Russell, who have over 24 years of experience in co-ownership. They previously founded and operated Boatshare Australia in 1999 and Riviera Syndication luxury yacht co-ownership in Australia from 2007. Their new venture, Second Home, was launched in February 2023 in Queenstown, New Zealand with the aim of making second home ownership more accessible and sustainable through their holiday home co-ownership model.
Useful Links:
Media Contacts:
John Russell +64 21 854 597, jrussell@secondhome.co.nz
Sharon Russell +64 21 863 759 or srussell@secondhome.co.nz
- central-otago-wine-tour
- : Sharon & John Russell
- : Founders & Owners
- : sharon@secondhome.co.nz
- : 6421863760
- : https://www.secondhome.co.nz/
- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091281708431 | https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-home-co-ownership/ | https://www.instagram.com/secondhome.coownership/
SpaceBase “Space for Planet Earth Challenge 2023” seeks applicants from the Pacific region leveraging space technologies to address climate change.
- : SpaceBase Limited
- : 18/05/2023
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND, [18 May 2023]
The “Space for Planet Earth Challenge” officially kicks off today and invites students and innovators from New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands to participate. The Challenge seeks innovative ideas to combat climate change in the region.
Auckland based organiser SpaceBase is calling applicants to specifically use satellite data, in combination with other data sources, to help develop scientific methods to identify target areas of methane emissions around the world.
“SpaceBase leverages incentive prizes and space-based technologies to solve grand challenges on Earth”, said CEO and Co-founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom. “We hope the solutions created will further R&D as well as spark products and services in the realm of methane identification and monitoring in the region.” Methane contributes about a third of global warming worldwide and traps heat 25 times more than CO2.
The competition is open to two categories: high school level and university/start-up level. Qualified teams will be invited to participate in a three month incubator programme that will include learning about remote sensing and data analysis, as well as design thinking and prototyping. Shortlisted teams after the incubator will be invited to pitch their ideas during the final event hosted in Auckland in March 2024.
The grand prize winners and finalists will win cash prizes up to $25,000 NZD, mentorships, and more. Proposals to participate in the incubator programme can be submitted online between 18 May and 31 August. Full Challenge applications are due 25 February 2024.
The Challenge is sponsored through organizations like K1W1 Ventures, Callaghan Innovations, and the Auckland Space Institute. Our partners include the Government of New Caledonia, and the Australian and Philippine Space Agencies. See full list of sponsors and partners on the SpaceBase website.
For more information on submitting a proposal and other details, go to: https://spacebase.co/challenges/space-challenge-2023 or contact info@spacebase.co
- Space for Planet Earth Open Now
- : Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom
- : Co-Founder
- : emeline@spacebase.co
- : 64224021936
- : https://spacebase.co
- https://www.facebook.com/SpaceBaseNZ/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/13643678/admin/ | https://twitter.com/SpaceBaseNZ | https://www.instagram.com/spacebasenz/
Generational divides revealed: Kiwi investment preferences explored in new report
- : Banked NZ
- : 26/01/2023
Highlights
- Younger generations are most likely to invest in shares, while Gen X say they are just as likely to invest in crypto. Term deposits are the top choice for Baby Boomers.
- 52% of Kiwis think 2023 will be a better year for investing than 2022.
- 87% think it’s important to invest in a socially responsible way.
Auckland, New Zealand – There is a distinct difference in investment preferences across generations of Kiwis, shows a new report from Banked. The personal finance website surveyed 1,020 New Zealand adults about their inclinations and attitudes to investing.
When asked what type of investment they were most likely to invest in, the top choice for Gen Z and Millennial Kiwis was shares (26.8% and 24.2%, respectively).
Property was the second most common choice for Gen Z, with 19.3% of those aged 18 to 26 saying they were most likely to invest in that investment type.
Along with shares, Gen X say they are just as likely to invest in cryptocurrency (both selected by 21.3% of respondents).
Those of the Baby Boomer generation are much less interested in shares (13.3%) while more than a third (35.2%) say their top investment choice is a term deposit.
“Our report shows a fascinating difference in the investment interests of Kiwis across age groups,” says Kevin McHugh, Head of Publishing for Banked.
“The boom of micro-investing apps and the popularity of so-called ‘Reddit stocks’ has captured the imagination of younger generations and they’ve really embraced investing in shares and funds.
“But as we move up the age groups there’s a declining interest in shares and a much greater attraction to lower-risk term deposits,” says McHugh.
“We also see that while home ownership has become increasingly difficult in recent years, it hasn’t dented the aspirations of younger people to own property.”
See the full report: https://www.banked.co.nz/nz-investor-report-2023
Most Kiwis optimistic for 2023
Banked’s report also shows that a majority of New Zealanders believe this year will be more fruitful for investors.
Asked if they thought 2023 would be a better year for investing than 2022, more than half (52.2%) said yes. Only 17.1% said no, while 30.8% said they didn’t know.
“Twenty twenty-two was a turbulent year for investors, with most investment types losing value. But most Kiwis are feeling more positive about 2023 and some may turn to investing as a way to counter the impact of inflation,” says McHugh.
A nation of socially responsible investors
The new report reveals the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing to New Zealanders.
A huge 87.1% of respondents say it’s important to invest socially responsibly, and only 12.9% disagree.
Gen Z feel the most strongly about the topic, with 90% saying it’s important. But the belief was uniform across all ages, with no age group dropping below 82%.
For those that say they didn’t think socially responsible investing was important, a desire just to get the best return possible is the main reason for most (42.4%), while 32.6% say they thought it made no difference.
ENDS
About Banked
Banked is a financial information and deals website that has the goal of helping New Zealanders make the best decisions on the products they need.
- Survey-1-Q.-What-type-of-investment-are-you-most-likely-to-invest-in-excluding-KiwiSaver
- : Kevin McHugh
- : Head of Publishing
- : kevin@banked.co.nz
- : 02108837789
- : https://www.banked.co.nz/
- https://www.facebook.com/BankedNZ
UPDATED: ResolveXO opens New Zealand office
- : ResolveXO
- :
UPDATED: ResolveXO is proud to announce the establishment of a new office in Auckland, New Zealand. This follows the opening of new commercial and industrial offices in Brisbane and Sydney in the last 12 months and signals our commitment to the New Zealand market. The new office will be led by ResolveXO Principal Anna Rusk and both she and ResolveXO Founder and CEO Stuart Allison are excited about the move.
“There is an increasing demand in New Zealand for strategic corporate property advice and we believe it is important to have a permanent presence in that market”, said Mr Allison. “While the market is different to that of Australia, the need for independent, conflict-free tenant advisory services is much the same and we are looking forward to introducing those services to New Zealand.”
ResolveXO will be providing expertise and guidance across all areas of commercial and industrial property including lease renewal, restructuring and negotiation, sale and leaseback, property procurement, market rent reviews, property and lease disposal, reinstatement, portfolio management, occupancy reviews, market research, strategic planning, analysis and benchmarking, and freehold advice. While the office will be based in Auckland, the New Zealand team will work with clients throughout the country and provide a ‘boots on the ground’ service for many Australian clients that also have a New Zealand presence.
While ResolveXO was founded in Australia, the New Zealand office will be New Zealand led. Originating from Northland, Anna Rusk has returned to Auckland to lead the team.
“It’s fantastic to be back in New Zealand and I’m grateful for the opportunity to set up the ResolveXO New Zealand office”, said Ms Rusk. “It’s even more fantastic to be able to help our New Zealand clients strategically plan, negotiate, secure, and manage their property portfolios at a time when independent, qualified advice has never been more important. In New Zealand, we’re seeing a rush to quality office space, the lowest industrial vacancy rates in recent history, and a continuing growth in demand everywhere. Combined with rising costs and sustainability imperatives, this is making decision-making more complicated and difficult. That’s why our strategic advice is proving so critical in helping our clients make the right decisions about their property portfolios.”
Anna has worked in the corporate property industry for nearly 20 years, representing clients throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. With her significant experience in working with both landlords and occupiers, Anna has an excellent understanding of what motivates each party in a transaction. This experience, combined with her qualifications in commercial law, has made her a canny operator and skilful negotiator. Anna will be joined by David Bygrave who will focus on partnering with clients in the industrial property sector. David also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our clients across the areas of supply chain, procurement, and strategic business operations.
Both will be working to expand ResolveXO’s New Zealand operations and deliver even greater value to our New Zealand clients.
About ResolveXO
ResolveXO exclusively represents business occupiers of commercial and industrial premises to strategically plan, negotiate, secure, and manage their property portfolios. We are Australasia’s leading corporate property strategists and 100% owned and operated by our principals.
ResolveXO has no association or affiliations with any agency, project management, construction, designer, or landlord entities. We do not and never will represent commercial and industrial landlords in their dealings with commercial and industrial tenants. We take conflicts of interest very seriously – so much so, that we are the only major Australasian corporate property strategy firm that exclusively represents commercial and industrial property occupiers.
As we only work for business occupiers and do not receive incentives or payments from any other parties, we provide independent advice you can trust. From beginning to end, we make sure that we protect the critical business relationships you need to maintain throughout your commercial and industrial property portfolio.
Your commercial and industrial property decisions are critical to the ongoing operation of your business. It makes sense to have commercial and industrial property strategists there to help you make the right decisions.
Contacts
Stuart Allison, CEO
stuart.allison@resolvexo.com.au
M +61 411 506 762 | P +61 3 9021 7500
Anna Rusk, New Zealand Principal
Anna.rusk@resolvexo.co.nz
M +64 27 253 5897 | P +64 9 870 2811
- : Anna Rusk
- : Principal
- : anna.rusk@resolvexo.com.au
- : 64272535897
- : http://www.resolvexo.co.nz
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/resolvexo/
App to help consumers before they get to the Supermarket
- : Sumfood Limited
- :
As the cost of living crisis bites, a New Zealand company, Sumfood, has launched an app designed to help New Zealander’s save money at the supermarket. The free app lets consumers know which supermarket has the cheapest price, per person, for groceries.
Launched on 1 December, it is hoped that it will provide consumers with a little comfort at the checkout as the holiday season approaches.
Dr Helen Darling of Sumfood believes that the kiwi’s want to help kiwi’s find the best place to shop and, at the same time, drive supermarkets towards fairer and more transparent pricing. To do this, she said, will require innovative people to start using the app, as the amount of data builds, supermarkets will no longer be able to hide behind price differences.
“Anecdotally, we know that where you live has an impact on what you pay at the supermarket – it’s time for some transparency”. Price information is crowd-sourced from motivated consumers.
The app was designed in response to increasing concerns of food price inconsistencies reported through the company’s food reporting tool.
For the last two years the company has collected reports on food issues, with these ranging from concerns about food preparation or hygiene through to contaminants or foreign objects. The company provides a service to consumers that gives them advice on what to do and who to contact.
The new app, FoodSpies.com, uses crowd-sourced data to calculate the average price for a supermarket shop. Shoppers can log on and find the average price, per person, for supermarkets in their region. Data are sourced from shoppers who provide the cost of their shop and the pricing is continuously recalculated so that the most up-to-date information is available.
Darling said that it’s an exciting time to be launching another tool to help consumers, adding that the idea came from her young, motivated team who are committed to making food systems safer and fairer.
- : Helen Darling
- : CEO
- : helen.darling@sumfood.com
- : 021479958
- : https://www.foodspies.com/
Christmas crunch: 60% of Kiwis stressed about the cost of Christmas
- : Banked NZ
- : 30/11/2022
30 November 2022, New Zealand
Highlights
- Kiwis to spend an average of $623 on gifts this year.
- Women much more stressed about Christmas costs than men.
- Almost two-thirds would pay more for a sustainable gift.
The majority of Kiwis feel stressed about the cost of this year’s Christmas, reveals the latest research from personal finance information website Banked.
A survey of 1,020 New Zealanders found that 60% of Kiwis describe themselves as either a ‘little stressed’ (46%) or ‘very stressed’ (14%) about the expenditure involved with this year’s festivities.
Women are feeling under more pressure than men, with 70% reporting some level of stress, compared with 49% of men.
Banked’s Christmas spending report found that Kiwis will spend an average of $623 on gifts this year. Women said they expect to spend $566 on average, while for men that figure climbs to $712.
“With rocketing inflation and a cost of living crisis to contend with, lots of New Zealanders are really feeling the pinch this Christmas,” says Kevin McHugh, Head of Publishing at Banked.
“Many will be worrying about their personal finances when they should be able to wind down and appreciate some well-earned time off with friends and loved ones.”
Banked’s research also found that sustainability is an important consideration for Kiwis when buying gifts. Almost two-thirds (65%) say they would be willing to pay more for a gift if it was sustainable, such as one that involved zero waste or was made from recyclable materials.
Younger people are even more interested in sustainable gift-giving, with 76% of those aged 18-24 (falling into the Gen Z age group) stating that they would be willing to pay more for a sustainable gift.
Conversely, under half (49%) of those aged 55 and older say they would be willing to pay extra for a gift if it was sustainable.
“Sustainability is a vital issue and it’s pleasing that so many Kiwis are willing to support it, even if it costs them a little extra at the checkout,” says McHugh.
See Banked’s NZ Christmas Spending Report 2022.
Top ways to save this Christmas
Don’t feel obligated to spend beyond your means – “Christmas is an expensive time and many feel pressure to spend money that they don’t have,” says McHugh.
“Don’t feel an obligation to buy gifts you’ll struggle to afford or take part in every costly social event. Put your wallet and your wellbeing first.”
Secret Santa or group gifting – “Arranging a Secret Santa is a great way to cut costs. It can also be lots of fun and lets you focus on getting a great gift for one person.
“Chipping in with others for a group gift is another excellent way to save, plus it makes it possible to purchase an otherwise unaffordable present,” says McHugh.
Set a budget (and stick to it) – “It can be easy to overspend at Christmas. But by setting a budget and keeping track of your spending, you’ll make managing your finances over the festive period much easier,” advises McHugh.
ENDS
About Banked
Banked is a financial information and deals website that has the goal of helping New Zealanders make the best decisions on the products they need.
- : Kevin McHugh
- : Head of Publishing
- : hello@banked.co.nz
- : 642108881973
- : https://banked.co.nz/
Media Giants Call on Biden to Drop Charges Against Assange
- : Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : 29/11/2022
Five of the world’s leading news outlets have sent an open letter to US President Joe Biden asking him to drop the charges against Australian Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
The letter states the charges against him set a ‘dangerous precedent’, relating to receiving and publishing classified material that revealed war crimes, torture, and environmental crimes. Assange is currently in a maximum security prison in London, and hundreds of doctors warn he could ‘die in jail in the coming months’.
The New York Times used a photo of the Human Chain around British Parliament on October 8th, that New Zealander Matt Ó Branáin inspired. Ó Branáin welcomed the statement from the top Media brass saying ‘Joe Biden cannot run from this any longer. It would be a huge mistake to allow this disastrous prosecution to fall under his legacy. Free Speech is integral to the US identity and international respect.’
Ó Branáin renewed calls for Jacinda Ardern to intervene diplomatically with Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak, saying ‘the case imperils not only Global Press Freedom, but New Zealand journalists working or travelling abroad, the integrity and safety of our troops, and the broader New Zealand public’s right to know. Staying silent on this is complicity, and will not age well, especially if he dies in prison. The public awareness of the significance of this case is growing every day.’
The letter signed by five major media outlets states:
‘This indictment sets a dangerous precedent . . . Holding governments accountable is part of the core mission of a free press in a democracy. Obtaining and disclosing sensitive information when necessary in the public interest is a core part of the daily work of journalists. If that work is criminalised, our public discourse and our democracies are made significantly weaker. . . It is time for the U.S. government to end its prosecution of Julian Assange for publishing secrets.’
Publishing is not a crime.
The editors and publishers of:
The New York Times
The Guardian
Le Monde
DER SPIEGEL
El Pais’- matt-chain
- : Matt Ó Branáin
- : National Co-ordinator of Aotearoa 4 Assange
- : matt.o.branain@A4A.nz
- : 4915231631792
- : https://www.a4a.nz/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/a4assange | https://twitter.com/A4Assange | https://www.instagram.com/aotearoa4assange/ | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Lgvm4ob5_kUS6NIaEXwvg
