A recent report on key health metrics shows another 3000 people presented at Middlemore’s Emergency Department in the year to September, compared with the previous year.
If people are unwell - but it’s not an emergency - the advice is they should visit their GP, local A&E or after-hours centre.
Foodstuffs’ November data shows a number of items in the produce department have decreased in cost over the past year, including cauliflower, avocados and lettuce.
Butter and lamb are also down on a year ago.
However, the cost of dessert has gone up.
Egg prices are up 59 per cent and sugar is up 29 per cent - so the pavlova and figgy pudding are costing more to make this Christmas.