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By Mitchell Hughes

Problem gambling is of growing concern across New Zealand. Over the course of the past years, the country has seen a huge rise in the number of individuals who have become addicted to gambling activities, such as pokies and sports betting.

According to the New Zealand Problem Gambling Foundation, nearly 2% of residents could be problem gamblers. With a population of over 4.3 million, this means that there could be nearly 100 000 individuals across the country suffering from gambling addiction. As such, the government has become increasingly concerned about the risks of casino gambling.

According to reports, there are several groups of individuals who are more likely to develop gambling problems than others. Maori and Pacific adults are more likely to become problem gamblers than those of other backgrounds. Youth groups also experience high rates of problem gambling. Men are also more likely than women to experience a gambling addiction.

There are many other factors that can affect an individual’s likeliness of developing a gambling problem. For example, substance abusers have an increased risk of become problem gamblers. Reports have yet to confirm why this is the case. While it is likely that gambling may be seen as a financial solution to funding their other addictions, some researchers believe that gambling triggers the same emotional response as drugs or alcohol in some individuals. Continue Reading

By Gavin Johnston

In it’s simplest definition, a snack is a small portion of food meant to hold one over between meals. In contrast, a meal is typically comprised of multiple items, has higher caloric content and is usually tied to rituals of time and location.

Historically, snacks were prepared from ingredients commonly available in the home. This has changed considerably over time with the new norm existing today as pre-made foods that are conveniently packaged and last seemingly forever.

But snack foods are not just treats anymore. They have to become part of the larger ingredient mix along with potatoes, carrots or butter. Frito Pie is on the menu alongside the $25 dish of shrimp etouffee. This may not seem important to the producer as long as products are selling at the store. But it validates a fundamental element of consumer behavior – the end user decides how to use any product he or she purchases. The challenge for the producer is to recognize the innovative ways consumers use their products and facilitate strategies that will help keep the trend going. This means understanding the underlying cultural processes that have allowed this transformation to take place and how to capitalize on it in order to grow sales.

Some credit to the changing role of snack foods must of course be attributed to the inventiveness of snack producers. Restaurateurs and chefs have also been and will continue to be tremendous influencers. Consumers, rather than turning to manufacturer websites and cook books are looking to the Food Network and local chefs not just for ideas, but also for validation of their culinary choices. Even subculture icons like Lux Interior of The Cramps (a rockabilly/punk fusion band founded in the 1970s) have helped shape the use of snacks in cooking – Mr. Interior had a deep penchant for Doritos Quiche. Continue Reading

By Natasha Bright

The cost of an institution, as well as the financial aid that is provided, is obviously an important factor in every student’s college decision. After all, no one wants to go into insurmountable debt to pay for a college degree. At the same time, shouldn’t your college decision be based on factors other than money? It is important to examine your college options from all angles to make sure it is the right fit for you, financial aid included. Only you can determine how big of a role tuition costs and financial aid will play in your ultimate decision.

Most students initially become interested in a college based on what that school has to offer. It is typically later that the student realizes a school is not affordable. Looking into the availability of financial aid is an important part of a thorough college investigation. While many colleges offer financial aid to students, such as merit-based tuition reductions, there are plenty of institutions that offer limited or no aid.

The first question you should ask yourself is whether or not the college you are interested in is financially feasible. Taking all forms of financial assistance into consideration, can you afford the cost of tuition? Of course, you should include reasonable student loans into this equation. But if a college is financially out of your reach, it doesn’t matter how great of a choice that school is. If it is not right for your budget, it’s not the school for you.

Another question to ask yourself is if a college is worth the money you would have to put out. Be realistic when it comes to what the school has to offer you. It may be an excellent institution with a great reputation, but if it does not offer adequate financial aid, are you comfortable with paying full price for tuition? Even if you afford college tuition, that doesn’t mean the high costs are worth it to you. Continue Reading