New Zealand has long had mechanisms in place to deal with dangerous drivers — demerit points, temporary suspensions, fines. But for years, critics of the system have argued that habitual offenders have been able to cycle through suspensions and return to the road with relatively little consequence, only to repeat the same dangerous behaviours that … Read more
Gold Coast retiree Helen Carter, 74, has been receiving her Age Pension for years. She knows roughly what to expect in her bank account every fortnight. So when she checked her balance in February and found a deposit of just over $1,000 sitting there — noticeably higher than her usual amount — her first instinct … Read more
Adelaide pensioner Carol Hughes, 70, has a ritual she follows twice every year without fail. When March and September roll around, she marks the indexation date on her kitchen calendar and waits to see how her fortnightly payment has changed. “It’s not about getting rich,” she said. “It’s about keeping up. Every dollar matters when … Read more
When Sydney mother-of-two Karen Aldridge opened her latest electricity bill, she knew something was different before she even looked at the total. The familiar line item — the government energy rebate that had quietly softened her bills for the past couple of years — simply wasn’t there anymore. In its place was the full, unsubsidised … Read more
When 68-year-old Canberra resident Paul Richards received his driver’s licence renewal notice earlier this year, something about it looked different. Alongside the usual paperwork was a new requirement — a medical self-assessment declaration that hadn’t been part of the process before. “I’ve had my licence for fifty years and never had an accident,” Paul said. … Read more
When Melbourne retiree Margaret Cole took on a few casual shifts at her local community garden café, her first thought wasn’t excitement about the extra cash — it was anxiety about her Age Pension. Like many older Australians, she’d heard stories of pensioners accidentally reducing their payments by earning even a modest amount of extra … Read more
For as long as most Kiwis can remember, showing your driver’s licence has meant reaching for your wallet. That familiar routine is now officially a thing of the past. New Zealand has launched its digital driver licence system, allowing motorists across the country to carry and present their licence directly from their smartphone — no … Read more
A wave of misinformation has been spreading across social media and online forums, causing unnecessary alarm among thousands of older New Zealanders. The claim? That all drivers aged over 65 must now renew their driver’s licence every two years. It sounds alarming — and it has certainly rattled many seniors who rely on their licence … Read more
Skywatchers across New Zealand, mark your calendars — a breathtaking celestial event is coming, and it will not repeat again this year. Astronomers have officially confirmed that the only total lunar eclipse of 2026 will be clearly visible across Aotearoa, giving Kiwis what experts are calling a true “front-row seat” to one of nature’s most dramatic sky … Read more