How are you planning to cope with the imminent rise in food prices set to sweep the globe, together with our own rise in GST?

The UN and Agricultural Organisation says a drought in Russia, which has led to Russian export restrictions are partly to blame for a surge in the price of wheat, leaving food prices at their highest level in two years. The food price index rose by 5% between July and August. A low European grain harvest is also set to send waves through the world food industries.

What changes are you making to your shopping on the basis of this and the upcoming GST rise in New Zealand? Do you have any tips you want to share?

Should both parents' incomes be taken into account when setting child care payments?

It's believed around $2 billion is owed in unpaid child care payments and penalties. Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says the system needs to be fairer and has released a discussion document. The document also asks whether child support payments should be automatically deducted from incomes and whether penalty and write-off rules should be amended to provide a better incentive to pay.

Click here to read Mr. Dunne's discussion document

Is the present system outdated and unfair? Do fathers now have a greater role in caring for children after parental separation? What changes would you make?

Are you surprised that South Canterbury Finance has gone into receivership?

The company told the NZX this morning that it has been unable to complete a deal to restructure the company. The troubled finance company currently owes more than 20,000 investors around $1.7 billion, around $1.5 billion of which is covered by the Government deposit guarantee scheme.

Does today's announcement surprise you or do you think receivership was the only way for this to go?