I was recently reading a piece that opened with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emmerson: “The purpose of life is not to be happy.  It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.’

As investment funds increasingly add cryptocurrency exposure to their portfolios, a major international police operation has exposed the darker side of this controversial asset class – money laundering.

As KiwiSaver assets surge past $110 billion, an all-too-familiar story is unfolding… Multiple KiwiSaver and general investment providers are rushing into private asset markets, echoing the past investment frenzies that have periodically swept through New Zealand's investment landscape.

As Scotland celebrates St Andrew's Day this Saturday, November 30, it's fitting to reflect on how one of Scotland's greatest minds, Adam Smith, who is considered the father of modern economics for his work in pioneering ideas such as free trade and the gross domestic product (GDP).

As the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) approaches its final monetary policy meeting for 2024, calls grow for a more aggressive approach to interest rate cuts.

Retirement investing in New Zealand has always favoured playing it safe .  The conventional wisdom was clear: At 65, switch to conservative investments to protect your nest egg .

In little old NZ, term deposits have traditionally been a cornerstone investment choice . Particularly among retirees and conservative investors seeking perceived safety and regular income, they’re often seen as ‘safer’ investment options .

In the evolving landscape of investment opportunities, each generation approaches wealth-building differently .

Consumer NZ has released an inaugural ‘Yeah, Nah’ awards list based entirely around the “most disappointing businesses, products and services” this year .[i] And while sometimes you get what you pay for, the overarching lesson I took from it was to read the back label, not just the front .

New Zealand’s economy, known for its innovation and resourcefulness, faces considerable challenges in the coming years . Will the classic No. 8 wire approach be enough this time ?

Have you ever heard the term, “You’ve been sold”?  It’s used to describe situations where someone ends up with a product they didn’t really need, simply because a salesperson was good at their job.

It’s a common goal for any young Kiwi – the great OE. Many New Zealanders have lived and worked in the UK.

In today’s digital age, DIY investing has grown immensely. The promise of high returns with minimal intervention and cost is tempting to everyday punters, especially with the rise of online platforms (such as Robinhood in the US, Sharesies closer to home) and accessibility to crypto currencies.

In the ever-evolving landscape of investment, understanding investor behaviour remains crucial. The recently released Dalbar 30th Annual Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behaviour (QAIB) study sheds new light on this topic – or at least reinforces some valuable lessons.

You may recall a certain commercial featuring people walking around, each carrying their own ‘retirement number.’ One needs $500,000; another $1 million; and another couldn't imagine retiring on anything less than $5 million.

Taking on the responsibility of managing your mother-in-law's investment portfolio—or indeed any family member’s investments—can feel akin to stepping onto a financial minefield. At first glance, you might not see the danger.

For many, the idea of winding down employment and transitioning into retirement – the Third Age in life – is both appealing and daunting.

As we approach another US presidential election, many investors start to wonder how the results might impact their portfolios.  

Often as investors our focus is on major developed economies. However, be it in a bespoke wealth management portfolio or a Kiwisaver Scheme fund; part of having a robust and resilient diversified investment portfolio is to include developing economies. They play a meaningful part in a sound investment portfolio. 

Rejoice!  Economists and political players alike are celebrating the recent downturn in the rate inflation, heralding the war on inflation as good as won.

It’s all eyes on Paris as a careful selection of each country’s top athletes seek to prove their mettle on the world stage.

If you think back to high school science (further back for some of us than others…) you may recall your teacher lighting a strip of unassuming ribbon of magnesium on fire.

I have yet to write a piece lauding the opportunity presented for everyday investors by the property market. Why? Because it simply does not make sense for many people to pin their entire financial future on assumed returns from real estate.

Another quarter down means a flurry of new stats about the economy – and, amidst what Business NZ has deemed ‘mediocre’ growth, it seems we’ve lost our mojo too.

On the cusp of my 25th year at Stewart Group, I have found myself reminiscing on what I’ve seen in the financial world during that time, and a few financial lessons proven along the way.

As a financial adviser, I am frequently asked to explain what Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is, why it is important, and why maintaining a positive GDP is crucial.

Buddhism’s hungry ghosts (or pretas) are tormented by their own desire, which can never be satisfied. They are always starving for more and can never consume enough to be satiated.

Luck is a fickle thing - and good fortune is difficult to repeat. Say one of your friends won this weekend’s must win $50m Lotto jackpot, and you decide to try and copy their behaviour to score your own big win.

Times are tough, and the media frenzy leading up to Budget 2024 reflected the big questions many had in their minds – would the Coalition Government deliver on their promises?