Michael Sergel is a senior reporter and radio news director for Newstalk ZB, usually based in Auckland.
Michael has been covering business, politics, local government and consumer affairs for more than a decade. He joined NZME in 2013. You can contact Michael at michael.sergel@nzme.co.nz.
The Temu effect: The sharp rise in spending on cheap foreign shopping sites
Websites like Temu appear to have been more than a passing fad.
Car owners mull switching to third-party insurance as premiums skyrocket
Consumers are facing a conundrum as quotes on one vehicle range from $580 to $1790.
Auckland public transport complaints plummet, but AT still under fire
There were an average of just 3.2 complaints in the first eight months of last year.
Thousands dodging Auckland bus fares every day – most are getting away with it
About 3% of passengers aren't paying up – here's where it's happening most.
'Feeling the pain': New figures show Wellington house insurance is now twice as expensive as Auckland
Wellingtonians are paying twice as much as Aucklanders to insure their home.
Data reveals 13 incidents a day on Auckland public transport
'We do have issues across the network.'
'Really bad': Wayne Brown concerned by new figures on public transport incidents
AT is now responding to more than 93 incidents a week.
'Queens city': Queenstown set to reach population milestone
New figures out this week will show Queenstown is now a large urban area.
The councils with the steepest rates rises, and why
Councils say the rates hikes are due to the rising cost of the basics.
Vehicle insurance premium hikes outpacing rise in incomes
New figures show 22.6 per cent annual increase in cost of average vehicle cover for Kiwis.
Consumers urged to ensure they’re getting the best deal on electricity
The latest stats show electricity prices have been rising more slowly than incomes.
Cost of insuring a Kiwi home rising six times faster than incomes
The cost of insuring what’s inside a home has risen even faster.