Figures released today by Paymark, which processes around 75% of all electronic transactions in New Zealand, show that Kiwis spent a total of just over $4.6 billion in December via Paymark's network, pushing the annual growth rate up slightly to 3.4 per cent.

New Zealanders and visitors to the country together spent more on their credit and debit cards again in October, Statistics NZ said today. The seasonally adjusted value of electronic card transactions rose 1.8 percent in October, the largest increase since January 2011.

By Frank and Muriel Newman

Food prices rose 2.0 percent in July 2011 and were up 7.9 percent on a year earlier, Statistics New Zealand said today. Vegetable prices rose 14.2 percent and accounted for more than half of the rise in July, mainly due to tomatoes and green vegetables.

The seasonally adjusted value of electronic card transactions in core retail (which excludes the motor vehicle related-industries) increased 0.5 percent in July 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. Despite this increase, the value of total transactions was flat (up just 0.2 percent).

Soaring cost of living figures prove what a struggle it is for hard-working Kiwis to make ends meet, and dramatically expose the impact of National's broken promise on GST, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

Gull has assured motorists that unlike other companies, it will hold its petrol prices for as long as possible. Despite the New Zealand dollar soaring to record levels, prices for regular petrol at some of Gull’s competitors have reached $2.089 per litre.

Rising food prices are continuing to hurt individuals and families, and Government policies are making the problem worse, the Green Party said today.

A huge increase in the price of fruit and vegetables, up 12.8 per cent in the year to May, won’t surprise struggling Kiwi families, and reinforces the need for Labour’s policy of removing all GST from fresh fruit and vegetables, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

The seasonally adjusted value of total electronic card transactions was flat (down just 0.1 percent) in May 2011 compared with April 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. The value of transactions rose in five industry groups, but fell in three.

Today's announcement of increases in the fees for civil courts and tribunals appears to signal a change from a principles-based approach in setting court fees to one of pure cost recovery, the New Zealand Law Society said today.

The Government's admission that it will carve an extra $63m out of the education budget to fund employer contributions to retirement schemes will put children's education at risk, says Labour's Education spokesperson, Sue Moroney.

Civil court and tribunal fees will be adjusted for inflation from 1 July 2011. Fee increases will be a maximum of 18.2% reflecting the rate of inflation since most fees were last adjusted. Some fees have been adjusted since 2004 and they will see a smaller increase.

Gisborne District Council approved a prudent budget when the 2011/2012 Annual Plan was adopted at its meeting today. "It is going to be very tight for managers to work with," says chief executive Lindsay McKenzie.

The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa is warning parents may face more fee increases with many early childhood services effectively taking another hit from this year's Budget.

The global recovery is firmly under way, but is taking place at different speeds across countries and regions, according to the OECD's latest Economic Outlook.

Anyone visiting your province can see that this is an export powerhouse. Dairy farms and cows. Thousands of cows. Cows as far as the eye can see. Taranaki is one of the great farming provinces of New Zealand.

Unless we take decisive action to protect our bees, we could be faced with massive bee deaths, a horticultural industry in crisis, food shortages and escalating food prices.

BP has dropped the price of petrol and diesel today by 3 cents per litre. This is the second decrease in the last three days, and is the fourth price drop in three weeks at BP-owned stores.

The loss of a crucial breakfast-in-schools programme raises serious questions about the government's priorities for education and social spending, says the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa.

The decision by Countdown to cancel its support for the Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme is devastating news for vulnerable children whose parents are struggling to put food on the table, says Labour's Social Policy spokesperson Annette King.

BP has dropped the price of petrol and diesel today by 4 cents per litre. This is the third price drop in three weeks at BP-owned stores. Petrol prices at most BP-owned service stations are: 91 Unleaded $ 208.9 cents per litre

Labour Leader Phil Goff's statement that the Emissions Trading Scheme forces people to subsidise polluters shows that Labour, like the Greens, is confused about the real effects of the scheme and that they are clearly not ready to govern, ACT New Zealand Parliamentary Leader Hon John Boscawen sai

The community sector is deeply concerned that today's budget announcements have failed to address the widening inequality gap in New Zealand, which will have long term fiscal and social impacts.

Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara is pleased that the government has recognised the important contribution higher education makes to New Zealand's future growth.

Petrol companies are making record margins on fuel prices, a government survey of petrol price margins shows, and Progressive Wigram MP Jim Anderton says the fuel companies are too slow to reduce prices.

Struggling Kiwis already know how tough it is Kiwis struggling to pay the bills each week won't be surprised to learn that food prices have increased 6.1 per cent in the year to April 2011, says Labour's Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

Prices for used cars are on the rise, according to quarterly figures released today by Turners Auctions. Sales figures from the country's largest vehicle auction house reveal average sale prices have risen for vehicles of all engine sizes.

The seasonally adjusted value of total electronic card spending increased 1.7 percent in April 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. This increase was due to the value of transactions rising in all industry groups except services, which was flat.

Labour's Energy spokesperson David Parker says the National Government continues to to stand by and allow New Zealanders to be overcharged for their electricity.