As Art Deco Weekend brings its usual vibrancy to our region, it also marks a sombre milestone – two years since Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Hawke's Bay.

Waitangi Day this week marked the 185th anniversary of our nation's founding document. Our treaty agreement birthed a nation built on trade, enterprise, and shared prosperity. In 2025, that economic spirit needs rekindling as we face perhaps our most significant test since the reforms of the 1980s.

Remember those Telecom calling cards we used to collect in the '90s? Some of us treated them like precious treasures, trading them at school and believing they'd be worth a fortune someday.

Financial security isn't built overnight—it's carefully constructed through years of disciplined planning, informed decision-making, and risk management. Over my tenure I’ve seen this proved time and time again… and I have unfortunately also seen the consequences of trying to ‘shortcut’ the process.

The phrase "mind the gap" might remind Kiwis of their London travels, but there's another critical gap we need to mind.  It’s the one between our working years and our final farewell.

In the quest for financial stability and a fulfilling life, the 15/65/20 personal strategic plan offers a practical approach to wrangling your income finances.

During 2024, I was fortunate to hear an interview some Canadian colleagues had with NYU Professor Scott Galloway.  His direct approach to success and life planning struck a chord with me.

Last week I discussed Ikigai (生き甲斐), a Japanese concept that translates to “a reason for being.”  I believe investing has its part to play in Ikigai - so what might that look like?

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.