Navigating the Economic Crossroads: What the Reserve Bank’s Next Move Means for Your Wallet The air is thick with anticipation as the Reserve Bank prepares to make its next move. For many households and businesses, the upcoming decision on the Official Cash Rate (OCR) isn’t just a headline—it’s a direct factor in mortgage repayments, business … Read more
The Evolution of Financial Planning: Why Women Over 50 Are Rewriting the Rules Financial planning is often framed as a technical exercise—a matter of risk profiles, spreadsheets, and market models. However, for those who have spent decades navigating the complexities of wealth management, the most significant factor in financial success is often far more human: … Read more
Could New Zealand Bring Back Its Bank? The BNZ Buyback Debate and the Future of State-Owned Finance New Zealand First’s bold proposal to repurchase the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) and merge it with Kiwibank has sparked fierce debate. Winston Peters, the party’s leader, has framed the plan as a way to reclaim national sovereignty … Read more
The Great Academic Pivot: How AI is Redefining the College Degree For decades, the roadmap to professional success was linear: pick a major, earn a degree, and enter a stable industry. But that roadmap is being rewritten in real-time. As generative artificial intelligence moves from a novelty to a core business tool, a wave of … Read more
The Evolution of Retirement Saving: Moving Beyond ‘Set and Forget’ For years, the prevailing wisdom around retirement savings was simple: sign up, pick a default fund, and ignore it until you reach retirement age. However, in a volatile economic climate, this passive approach is becoming a costly mistake. We are seeing a shift toward “active … Read more
May 18, 2026 Finance, Culture, Aging, Wellbeing From Burnout to Balance: How Māori Values Are Redefining Financial Resilience After 50 Mikaere Hina’s story is one of survival, reinvention, and the quiet revolution happening in New Zealand’s financial landscape. After three heart attacks and a 40-year career in the high-pressure world of professional cooking, Hina—who identifies … Read more
The New Property Playbook: Why First-Home Buyers Are Skipping the ‘Starter Home’ For decades, the traditional path to homeownership was a predictable climb: buy a weathered apartment or a tiny unit, sweat some equity, and eventually trade up to a family home. But the data is showing a seismic shift in how new buyers are … Read more
Investor, property coach, and author Steve Goodey views a traditional salary not as a final destination, but as seed capital for the pursuit of real wealth through investing. With nearly 30 years of experience in trading, renovating, and flipping properties, Goodey has navigated multiple market cycles to build a portfolio primarily based in Wellington. The … Read more
Navigating the Fragile Recovery: What ANZ’s Latest Results Reveal About New Zealand’s Economic Future The latest financial disclosures from ANZ New Zealand provide a stark window into the current state of the national economy. With a half-year cash net profit after tax of $1.238 billion, the bank has shown resilience, yet the underlying data suggests … Read more
Rates arrears are increasing across major centers in the country, as councils report more ratepayers struggling to pay their bills. Data obtained from three councils shows a rise in unpaid rates since June 2023. Rising Arrears in Key Cities Auckland has seen a significant increase in arrears, climbing from $75 million in 2023 to $91 … Read more