How to be a Citizen – breaking rules to fix them

‘How to Be a Citizen’ by Cindy Skach. Photo: Bloomsbury Publishing Societies have rules to stop them from descending into chaos – at least that’s what Constitutional scholar Cindy Skach used to believe. Her career was spent advising governments and writing constitutions to help fix society in some of the most fractured, war-torn corners of […]

How to get the most from your doctor appointment

Avoid bringing long lists to your GP, says Lucy O’Hagan. Photo: lucyohagan.com You only get 15 minutes at the GP, so how do you make the most of it? Write a list, save up your ailments, do a quick Google beforehand? Sunday Morning spoke to GP, medical educator and writer Dr Lucy O’Hagan to find […]

How to clean puffer jackets, Oodies, uggs and other tricky winter items

By Kellie Scott of the ABC Often these clothing items are an investment, especially when made from natural insulators like down and sheepskin. Photo: Unsplash While winter clothing items such as puffer jackets, Oodies, and ugg boots do a great job of keeping us warm, cleaning them is a little tricker than throwing into the […]

How to be a better listener

Asking multiple questions is a powerful listening tool, Jo Robertson says. Photo: Unsplash Listening is about trying to fully understand the other person’s position, not trying to assert your own, a therapist says. Effective listening is a muscle that must be developed, Auckland therapist Jo Robertson tells RNZ’s Nine to Noon. Being quiet for long […]

Still hungry after porridge? How to make it more filling

By Nicola Heath, ABC Add a scoop of protein powder, nut butter, or a handful of chopped nuts or seeds to boost your porridge. Photo: Unsplash When the weather turns cooler, many of us switch from cereal and smoothies to a warm bowl of porridge for breakfast. Porridge – or oatmeal, as it’s known in […]

How to enter the property market without a First Home Grant

Photo: Supplied/ Dan Bailey The First Home Grant might be gone, but there are still options for people wanting to enter the property market, brokers say. The government has scrapped the grant, which could provide buyers up to $10,000 if they bought a new build, and says it plans to redirect the money to social […]

Spotify Tips for People Who Like to Listen to Whole Albums

I wish there were more options here. For example, it would be great if the end of one album could result in the start of a similar album, or if I could turn the feature off for albums and on for playlists. Still, it’s nice to have the choice, and I choose to keep this […]

Open banking: How to opt in – and out – of the new payment system

The deadline for the country’s four major banks ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac to be ready for secure payments through open banking is 30 May. Photo: RNZ / 123rf Open banking is a new way to pay for items online – but how does it work? From 30 May, New Zealand’s four major banks – […]