Archive for June, 2009

Bonarda - Controversial And Hard To Find

Until recently it was the most widely planted grape in Argentina (Malbec has overtaken it) but Bonarda has been difficult to find.
I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of Trivento 2005 Reserve Bonarda being promoted at my local New World. Bonarda is one of those grape varieties which attracts controversy. Prior […]

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Research Says Crash Diets Work

New research from Tufts University in Massachusetts says crash diets can actually work better than slow weight loss. Professor of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts, Susan Roberts, says the latest research from her lab shows “sensible, healthy crash diets actually do as well for long-term success as slow diets and, for some people, can actually […]

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Are Shares Best For Superannuation?

With the global stock market melt-down of the past six months, many people’s superannuation funds have literally disappeared.
With the markets starting to pick up again, is it time to re-invest your super fund in stocks?…Some of Aust’s top brokers think so. Louise Biti, a director at Strategy Steps, says most super fund portfolios are well […]

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Changes To Tenancy Rules

The Govt has introduced a Bill changing tenancy laws which it says balances landlord and tenant rights.
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill will update and clarify existing rental laws. The Govt says it adjusts the balance of the Residential Tenancies Act, enabling landlords to manage their properties effectively and ensuring tenants have access to stable, good […]

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New Legacy & Outback Sophisticated, Efficient

Subaru’s much anticipated new generation Legacy and Outback have been unveiled in Japan this week, with breakthrough fuel economy figures, foreshadowing the models which will arrive in NZ in the third quarter.
The Legacy sedan and wagon and the higher riding Outback will come with a choice of 2.5 and 3.6-litre petrol Boxer engines and a […]

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Why Have Long-Term Fixed Mortgage Rates Risen?

The National bank explains the background to the recent increase in the interest rate of fixed term home loans. The bank asks why if floating rates have continued to fall in recent times, have longer term fixed rates (3-5 years) increased? The OCR is an important factor in floating or short-term home loan interest rates. […]

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