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PODCAST · business

Smart Money

by Newstalk ZB

Looking to make sense of your dollars? Newstalk ZB’s Smart Money delves into the deep, dark recesses of unwanted debt, traverses the highs and lows of investments and helps to ensure you money works for you.Our industry experts give us their top tips on a wide selection of topics including mortgage rates, stock, savings, goal-setting and retirement.

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Episodes

  1. Nathan Stanners: Stronger KiwiSaver policies are needed as less people are retiring with enough

    More New Zealanders are looking to their Kiwisaver to get them to the future, or to their first-home with the property market on a down-turn. Because of that, the election's become a more vested interest for voters, with the future of their KiwiSaver determined by what Government forms. So what…

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  2. Amanda Morrall: It's time to start investing in your KiwiSaver

    It seems like New Zealand's fallen out of love with the property-market hype - the pre-election economic and fiscal update last week basically confirmed it. So where should we start looking when it comes to investing, and saving up? You've heard about people doing the age-old method of buying...

  3. Rupert Carlyon: Parties should be focusing on banks not supermarkets

    There has been a lot of supermarket chat over the past couple of years, and it's ramping up now that we are headed into the election. National wants to split up Food Stuffs, the Greens want to build KiwiMart, ACT wants regulatory barriers reduced so new competitors can enter, and Labour has...

  4. Sylvie Thrush Marsh: There are many avenues to take employment disputes

    The workplace is often dynamic - young people make their way in, technology change how things are done, new talent shift the team culture, and dress codes can differ from strict to casual. With the rise of remote and hybrid-jobs these days, what do employers and employees need to see eye-to-eye…

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  5. Chris Wilson: How will the US and NZ elections affect the markets?

    The election is 55 still days away, and it's looking like a tight one. And in the US the midterms are around the corner. America has a much bigger economy, and one that we have a lot of ties to. So how will these elections influence our domestic markets, if at all? Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO...

  6. Martin Hawes: Is a flexible Superannuation scheme worth it?

    Earlier this week, an interesting proposal was made to shake up the way we use Superannuation. A report from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand indicates a flexible choice of when people can start receiving NZ Super could improve affordability. Would this be worth it? And who should…

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  7. Nick Crawford: How do you talk to your spouse about money?

    One of the first lessons mum and dad teach you is "it's rude to talk about money". But when it comes to family life, it's important to be open about financial matters with your spouse. And in the workplace, talking about wages is often the way to make sure you're getting the same treatment as...

  8. Janet Xuccoa: Managing Director for NZ Family Trust Services on what assets should be in a trust

    Trusts are no doubt a complicated thing. There's a lot of moving parts, a lot of different parties involved, and most will be close to the Settlor, which can create it's own problems. So should you be thinking about getting a trust set up for your family? Managing Director for NZ Family Trust...

  9. Hamish Pepper: What's the reasoning behind RBNZ's decision to hike the OCR?

    The RBNZ recently hiked the OCR from 2.25% to 2.5%, and experts are expecting around another 1% of hikes over the next year, as managing inflation risks take priority over the weaker economy. But when will our economy start turning around? Hamish Pepper from Harbour Asset Management joins Tim...

  10. Amanda Morrall: Does AI play a role in personal finance?

    The Cost of Living Crisis has driven a lot of Kiwis to look for financial advice, and many turn to AI over a financial advisor. But is AI really that reliable as a source of financial advice? And investing in AI seems to be the thing to do at the moment, is it somethng you should be getting in to...

  11. Rupert Carlyon: What's the first step for wanna-be investors?

    When the cost of living crisis is driving your day-to-day costs up, putting money in to a Kiwisaver might not seem appealing. But is it still important to keep the flow of money in to Kiwisaver going? And what do you do when you want to get started investing in an index fund? Founder and Managing...

  12. Andrew Bascand & Sue Walker: Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO and Harbour Asset Management Senior Manager discuss energy payments

    Electricity and money go hand-in-hand. Every house needs power, and everything costs money. So how do you balance the two in the midst of a Cost of Living Crisis? And what should you keep an eye out for that might impact the number on your energy bills? Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO Andrew...

  13. Sharon Chandra: Prenups can be challenged

    More than 7800 divorces were granted last year, with nearly 6000 underage children seeing their parents split - that's about 8 divorces for every 1000 marriages. Looking deeper, about 5 percent of marriages end in 5 years, 15 percent end within 10, and more than a third dissolve within 25 years....

  14. Sylvie Thrush-Marsh: What should you keep an eye out for in your employment contract?

    Everyone has an employment contract, but what should you be aware of when presented with a new one? Some key parts that you'd think are a given may also be missing, so what shoud you make sure you have? MyHR's Chief Evangelist Sylvie Thrush-Marsh joins Tim Beveridge to answer your employment...

  15. Amanda Morrall: Don't pounce on every good deal you see

    With Property becoming less of the golden-goose egg we've made it out to be, people are focusing more on how else they can be financially stable - and with that stability, comes being disciplined with your money - and keeping your spending affairs in order. But how can we do that with loyalty...

  16. Nathan Stanners: The pros and cons of National's compulsory Kiwisaver policy

    Generate Kiwisaver's Nathan Stanners joins Tim Beveridge to chat National's compulsory Kiwisaver policy - and whether it's a good policy for the our retirement savings pool. They also talk how your risk profile should change the closer your get to retirement. LISTEN ABOVE See...

  17. Janet Xuccoa: Your list of trustees has to be tight and reputable

    Earlier this year, a Christchurch businessman was found borrowing millions of dollars against his family trusts for his clothing company - racking up a $3-million dollar spend. His sister prompted legal action, and two homes had to be sold as collateral. But that brings up a question - what can…

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  18. Nick Crawford: Households will have to anticipate higher cost-of-living pressures

    This week's budget announcement had a focus on sorting out the books, and no straight sugar hits for individuals. Infrastructure, healthcare and education seemed to be the clear priority of our fiscal plan, but three relief for the cost-of-living pressure many face. Along with that, council rates...

  19. Amanda Morrall: What does it really take to retire in 2026?

    Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what does it actually take to retire? And, when Super is under threat, and the only stable thing about the global economic climate is its instability, can...

  20. Martin Hawes: Should the govt fund your retirement?

    The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt. The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as…

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  21. Nathan Stanners: Don't get too caught up with checking your KiwiSaver balance

    All investment accounts are a bit touch and go at the moment. If you're checking your KiwiSaver more than a few times a year, the amount of movement could really start to get to your head. But for those close to or at retirement age, or about to withdraw for whatever reason - a volatile market…

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  22. Sharon Chandra: You can't DIY a divorce

    Divorce is still one of those taboo topics we tend to avoid, but up to 40% of marriages end that way here in New Zealand, so it's probably about time we become a bit more comfortable with it. It's not always a hostile end, some couples are even able to "DIY" their split in a sense - but is that...

  23. Janet Xuccoa: Most people should really have a trust

    We often think of trusts as a way to protect your assets, especially if you work in certain fields - but a surprising number of regular families use them for a range of reasons. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  24. Andrew Bascand: Iran conflict impacts more than just gas prices

    The hot topic on everyone's minds right now is the price of petrol and diesel. It seems to be impacting the price of just about everything else, and we're staring down the barrel of a major risk of high inflation. The OCR remains steady for now, but it's only a matter of time before interest…

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  25. Amanda Morrall: Saving money with rising costs

    Prices are going up. Food prices are up, and will keep going up alongside fuel. Practically any goods that travel by land air or ocean to get to you will become increasingly unaffordable for the foreseeable future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  26. Rupert Carlyon: Global tension? Ignore your KiwiSaver

    Tensions are high for everyone right now, and I know most people will either be nervously checking their KiwiSaver balance on the daily, or completely ignoring it until things calm down a bit. The most repeated advice advisors will be giving right now is to simply ignore your balance for the time...

  27. Chris Wilson: KiwiSaver changes need some tweaking

    From April 1st, the KiwiSaver minimum default contribution rate will move up to 3.5%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  28. Nick Crawford: The mistakes people make with a windfall

    We've all found ourselves day dreaming about where we'd spend a big Lotto win at one point or another. Realistically, many of us will come into a major windfall - but it's likely to come in the form of a bonus at work, or an inheritance. Is it okay to buy a new car and go on holiday? Or should we...

  29. Martin Hawes: Are you losing money on ethical investing?

    Ethical investing seems to be a hot topic when it comes to choosing an investment fund or KiwiSaver provider. I've often heard providers boast that their fund is ethical - they avoid weapons manufacturers, focus on renewable and sustainable energy - you won't feel a possible sense of guilt around...

  30. Shane Solly: Spots of recovery in the economy

    We've started to see spots of what looks to be recovery in our economy over recent months. It's not consistent, but it's frequent enough to give us some hope for the year to come. Westpac is picking a whole lot of OCR hikes from the end of this year, and other forecasts seem to set a similar…

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  31. Janet Xuccoa: Where do trusts fit in to aged care funding?

    Growing older is expensive - much more expensive than most people realise. When you or a loved one either decides to move into aged care or is forced to do so, the Ministry of Social Development will quickly swoop in to flip through all their finances. Any assets, gifted funds, trusts, even…

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  32. Sharon Chandra: You could be essentially married without even realising it

    Relationships cost money. It's not just about date nights at expensive restaurants, fancy shoes, or a new watch for Valentine's Day. It's moving in together, splitting the power bill, signing on to the rent. At what point in the relationship should you join your finances, and how should you go...

  33. Martin Hawes: When does life insurance stop being worth it?

    As you get older, your health becomes more and more of a worry, so life insurance seems like a no-brainer. But is it? Do you really need it after the mortgage is paid and the kids are on their own? And what policies are must-haves, against ones that are just nice to have? Financial Author Martin...

  34. Todd Charteris: "Let's not let perfect get in the way of better"

    Confidence in New Zealand's rural sector has really started recovering over the past year or so. Stabilising interest rates, great dairy results, and promising meat exports have formed a foundation for what will hopefully be a successful 2026. Confidence dropped slightly in the last quarter of…

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  35. Jannet Xuccoa: When's the right time for a trust?

    Often trust have been seen to be province of the uber wealthy. But are they? And often people don't think about this issue until it is too late So when should we think about these issues - our family. inheritances and what's gonna happen to our money when we aren't around to look after it?…

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  36. Andrew Bascand: We've seen the bottom of the rate cycle

    Last week the Reserve Bank dropped the OCR 25 basis points to 2.25%, but their tone was a bit more hawkish than usual. Some analysts are thinking it's a signal that rates have gone as low as the RBNZ is willing to drop them - and the new Governor may be wanting to turn a new leaf in 2026. LISTEN...

  37. Lisa Dudson: Is it time to fix long term?

    We got another OCR cut this week - now down to 2.25% - the lowest it's been since June of 2022. That was the last one for the year, so a lot of us mortgage holders are trying to figure out whether things are slowing down, and if it's time to fix for a longer term this time around. LISTEN ABOVE…

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  38. Martin Hawes: Higher earners increasingly seeking budgeting help

    Queues at budgeting services are getting longer, and financial advisors are finding households with increasing incomes are seeking help. Kiwis with a household income of over $200,000 a year and likely with a mortgage are struggling to make ends meet. It feels like it was only a few years ago…

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  39. Rupert Carlyon: Take a breath before you touch that windfall

    Most of us have spent the past few days daydreaming about what we would spend $55 million on. Pay off the mortgage, book a holiday, send some off to charity, throw the rest in a term deposit. Three lucky punters each one a share of the jackpot last night - $18.3 million each. Not many of us will...

  40. Hamish Pepper: The NZ economy is finally recovering

    The Reserve Bank shocked a lot of us last month when it cut the OCR by 50 basis points down to 2.5%. Analysts have said that the RBNZ was reading the room and giving kiwis a much needed breather after years of high rates. Early signs are showing it's starting to have an effect - with the GDP...

  41. Max Whitehead: Be careful when placing a complaint with HR

    Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as the coach of the Silver Ferns in September due to 'significant issues' in the team. After many public statements and interviews, she was reinstated at the end of last month. Netball NZ, her employer, remained just vague enough that the public could allow…

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  42. Janet Xuccoa: What's the point of a trust?

    Trusts are hardly mentioned outside of when wealth tax is in the news, or when someone mentions their accountant told them to get one. One side of the political aisle seems to have a good list of reasons as to why someone would need a trust, while the other side seems to be convinced that...

  43. Amanda Morrall: There's more to life besides money

    An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023. 50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands. It's one thing to be spending less on...

  44. Martin Hawes: Does a new Reserve Bank governor even matter?

    A new governor has been appointed for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - all the way from Sweden. Dr Anna Breman has already received criticism from economists who find themselves concerned that someone with such little knowledge of the New Zealand economy will hold such a high stakes position....

  45. Hamish Pepper: Forecasts rise for OCR after GDP shrinks

    The economy had a worse than expected drop in the June quarter, shrinking 0.9%. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has blamed it on global turmoil, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand says there's a need to provide more stimulus to the economy by cutting the OCR. LISTEN ABOVE See...

  46. Rupert Carlyon: KiwiSaver is unaffordable as it is

    Last week, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced plans to campaign for compulsory KiwiSaver at the next election, and increase the minimum contribution from 4% to 12%. He said there would be tax cuts alongside these changes to help fund the increase in contributions. LISTEN ABOVE See...

  47. Max Whitehead: Is it always the squeaky wheel that gets the oil?

    There are two different types of employees - one who stays low profile, gets what they need to get done, done, and goes home. Then there's the other, who complains about anything they feel inconveniences them. Is it true that the squeaky wheel get the grease? Or is this a great way to get…

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  48. Shamubeel Eaqub: Reconsidering which insurance you use

    It's no secret that the cost of living has gone a bit crazy these past few years, but insurance seems to be one of the hardest hit. Insurance prices have increased 900% since 2000 - almost triple the increase of tobacco products. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  49. Andrew Bascand: The OCR won't solve anything

    The OCR got another cut this week, now down to 3%. While there have been questions for a while around whether banks are passing the cuts down to consumers, the real question is whether the cuts will actually solve anything at all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  50. Janet Xuccoa: You should be checking your will annually

    Wills are some of the most painstaking things you need to do as an adult. They remind you of your mortality, and of all the familial issues you may have had throughout the years. But they must be done - so how can you write an airtight will? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Looking to make sense of your dollars? Newstalk ZB’s Smart Money delves into the deep, dark recesses of unwanted debt, traverses the highs and lows of investments and helps to ensure you money works for you.Our industry experts give us their top tips on a wide selection of topics including mortgage rates, stock, savings, goal-setting and retirement.

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Newstalk ZB

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Looking to make sense of your dollars? Newstalk ZB’s Smart Money delves into the deep, dark recesses of unwanted debt, traverses the highs and lows of investments and helps to ensure you money works for you.Our industry experts give us their top tips on a wide selection of topics including mortgage...

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Smart Money publishes regularly with 353 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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