Matua Kahurangi: Pakuranga fire, strike blame and a political cheap shot

Fire and Emergency New Zealand bosses have blamed ongoing strike action for delays responding to yesterdays blaze in Pakuranga, while the firefighters’ union has pushed back, saying FENZ was meant to have contingency plans in place. As always, when something goes wrong, fingers start pointing and responsibility gets blurred.

Point of Order: Govt serves good news by helping shoppers gauge whether this item – or that one – provides the better bang for our bucks

Good Christmas news for shoppers came in the form of the Government announcing it is working on a set of rules intended to help consumers compare the prices of grocery products at supermarkets.

They can do that now, of course, although the procedure is exhausting: shoppers hoping to get the best bang for their bucks can visit every supermarket within a comfortable travelling distance, then walk down the aisles with their shopping lists and take copious notes of who is selling what for how much.

Shoppers furthermore can calculate whether a 150-gram tin of sardines (or whatever) is a better deal than the 150-gram tin of sardines on the same shelf.