Nicole Barratt started her career in news journalism, working for one of New Zealand’s leading newspapers. Post her news stint, she freelanced for outlets including The Sunday Star Times and NZ Life & Leisure Magazine. More recently, she’s applied her research and writing skills to the world of finance for Canstar.
Posted by January 13th 2021
Nothing beats a hot shower in the depths of winter, but the costs can add up fast. Hot water heating makes up approximately 30% of an average household's energy bill, according to the Energy Efficiency …
Posted by June 11th 2020
Whether it's piped in via a mains supply or delivered in bottles, gas is a popular fuel source in Kiwi homes. In the kitchen, a gas hob allows you to cook food with precision heat, …
Posted by June 10th 2020
Kiwis are a nation of drivers: according to the AA, 97% of adult New Zealanders have a driver licence, and we have one of the highest rates of light vehicle ownership in the world. Naturally, …
Posted by June 19th 2020
It’s not uncommon for our energy bills to spike over the winter months. Household costs increase particularly due to our heating use and clothes dryers. Dryers are energy-hungry; an average dryer cycle costs about $1 …
Posted by June 4th 2020
There isn’t much a smartphone can’t do these days. Need a series to watch on your commute home? Download one. Lost in a city? Map your way out. Want high-quality holiday snaps? Use your phone …
Posted by June 19th 2020
No-one wants to have cold feet over winter. We want to be toasty in our homes, whether that’s lounging in front of the telly, in bed with a good book or working in the home …
Posted by June 19th 2020
They are habits to which it's easy to turn a blind eye, but there’s a reason why you shouldn’t let lint build up in your dryer, or stuff your freezer to capacity and beyond. By …
Posted by May 15th 2020
There’s no universal life expectancy for a home's major appliances. Most will last between seven and 15 years. But even with regular maintenance, most appliances won’t function as they should past their lifespan. If you’ve …
Posted by June 3rd 2020
Kiwis like to be connected. Be it streaming our latest Netflix addiction, simply scrolling on the web or curating the perfect playlist on Spotify, we are a nation of broadband munchers. Our online habits have likely …
Posted by May 8th 2020
Lighting is an important part of any home's design, banishing darkness while adding atmosphere. But it’s an area of design we sometimes tend to overlook, as picking the right lighting designs and bulb types can …