How much does it really cost to raise a family in New Zealand today?  The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja, opened the phones and asked listeners to share their lived experiences of managing household expenses as a family of four. From groceries, rent and mortgages to fuel, childcare, power bills and everyday sacrifices — this candid conversation reveals the pressure many families are under right now. Honest stories, real numbers, and voices from across the country paint a powerful picture of life in New Zealand during the cost-of-living crunch. 

How much does it really cost to raise a family in New Zealand today?&nbsp; The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja, opened the phones and asked listeners to share their lived experiences of managing household expenses as a family of four. From groceries, rent and mortgages to fuel, childcare, power bills and everyday sacrifices &mdash; this candid conversation reveals the pressure many families are under right now. Honest stories, real numbers, and voices from across the country paint a powerful picture of life in New Zealand during the cost-of-living crunch.&nbsp;

Catch up all the fun and bits from The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja. Wake up and embrace the day with Vijay & Pooja and get served what you love on weekdays 6 - 10 am.

Catch up all the fun and bits from The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja. Wake up and embrace the day with Vijay &amp; Pooja and get served what you love on weekdays 6 - 10 am.

Humm Breakfast Catch Up | rova

Humm Breakfast Catch Up

The Real Cost of Living in NZ: Families Speak Out

From the minimal representation of the Indian community at New Zealand’s national political level, to various pressing issues affecting New Zealanders, The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja put up straight up questions to Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins.

From the minimal representation of the Indian community at New Zealand&rsquo;s national political level, to various pressing issues affecting New Zealanders, The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja put up straight up questions to Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins.

Voice of the Community: Chris Hipkins on Indian Representation in Parliament

The debate centers on advice from Gurgaon-based CEO Jasveer Singh, who urges Indian parents to stop exhausting their life savings to build "family homes" for their children. Singh argues that this traditional investment is often a "wrong problem" to solve because modern children are increasingly mobile, moving to different cities or countries for careers that demand entirely different lifestyles. He suggests that these homes frequently become outdated or remain empty, and instead, parents should prioritize their own financial independence and retirement comfort. While some supporters agree that emotional sacrifices for real estate are becoming obsolete in a globalized world, critics maintain that a family home remains a vital financial safety net and a symbol of long-term security in the Indian context.

The debate centers on advice from Gurgaon-based CEO Jasveer Singh, who urges Indian parents to stop exhausting their life savings to build "family homes" for their children. Singh argues that this traditional investment is often a "wrong problem" to solve because modern children are increasingly mobile, moving to different cities or countries for careers that demand entirely different lifestyles. He suggests that these homes frequently become outdated or remain empty, and instead, parents should prioritize their own financial independence and retirement comfort. While some supporters agree that emotional sacrifices for real estate are becoming obsolete in a globalized world, critics maintain that a family home remains a vital financial safety net and a symbol of long-term security in the Indian context.

The Family Home Trap? Re-thinking Indian Parenting & Property

Are Indians in New Zealand truly united — or quietly divided along language, region, religion, and migration pathways?

On The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja on Humm, a powerful on-air discussion opened up a question many think about but rarely say out loud: are Indians segmented into small ethnic bubbles, and does that fragmentation weaken our collective voice? Listeners called in with raw, honest experiences of community pride, invisible walls, and missed opportunities for unity.

This podcast episode captures those listener voices and explores a deeper truth: when it comes to representation, advocacy, and influence in New Zealand, are Indians speaking together or talking past each other? It’s a conversation about identity, belonging, power, and what it would really take for one of the country’s fastest-growing communities to be heard — not as many groups, but as one.

Are Indians in New Zealand truly united &mdash; or quietly divided along language, region, religion, and migration pathways?
On The Breakfast Show with Vijay and Pooja on Humm, a powerful on-air discussion opened up a question many think about but rarely say out loud: are Indians segmented into small ethnic bubbles, and does that fragmentation weaken our collective voice? Listeners called in with raw, honest experiences of community pride, invisible walls, and missed opportunities for unity.
This podcast episode captures those listener voices and explores a deeper truth:&nbsp;when it comes to representation, advocacy, and influence in New Zealand, are Indians speaking together or talking past each other? It&rsquo;s a conversation about identity, belonging, power, and what it would really take for one of the country&rsquo;s fastest-growing communities to be heard &mdash; not as many groups, but as one.

The Real Cost of Living in NZ: Families Speak Out

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