The morning had been perfect for my friend Paul’s brother. The Queensland sun warmed his skin as he hitched his modern caravan to his Nissan SUV, ready for a weekend at the beach. The open road beckoned, promising relaxation and the soothing sound of waves.
Are We There Yet? New Zealand's Prolonged Economic Recovery
"Are we there yet?" The question echoes from the back seat for the hundredth time as the family ute winds through another stretch of seemingly endless highway. Dad glances in the rearview mirror at restless faces and sighs.
When Catchphrases Replace Common Sense: The Dangerous Allure of Investment Folklore
The investment world loves its pithy sayings. From "Sell in May and Go Away" to "Buy Low, Sell High," these catchphrases roll off tongues in boardrooms and backyard barbecues alike.
Is Rent “Dead Money”?
How our obsession with property ownership is quietly sabotaging national productivity.
Walk into any New Zealand café, and you'll inevitably overhear the same conversation: someone explaining why they're buying a rundown villa to convert into their office space.
Diversification: Fortifying a Port for Stormy Times
Proper diversification has become essential to protect you from today’s increasingly volatile global landscape. Global markets don’t all go the same way at the same time; a savvy investor knows this and uses it to their advantage.
Make Your KiwiSaver Reign Supreme
Rolling out this King's Birthday weekend, when many Kiwis are reflecting on legacy and family - here's how to ensure your retirement savings work as seamlessly for your loved ones as they have for you.
Budget 2025: King Canute's Economic Delusion
King Canute would be chuckling from his medieval grave. Just as the legendary monarch couldn't command the tides to recede, Finance Minister Nicola Willis can't levitate New Zealand toward genuine growth without serious structural change.
Budget 2025: The Case for Full Expensing of Capital Expenditure
All eyes are on this year’s Budget, set to release next Thursday. The Coalition Government faces significant economic challenges that demand innovative solutions.
Mum Knows Best: The Financial Lessons We Should All Take from Our Mothers
With Mother's Day upon us, there's one more reason to celebrate the mums in our lives – they might just be better investors than they realise.
Field Strategies for Financial Success: Investment Lessons from the Maimai
As the early morning mist rises over wetlands across New Zealand this opening weekend, hunters will be settling into their duck hide or maimai, waiting for that familiar wing-beat overhead. Patience is as much a tool as any hunting hardware.
ANZAC Legacy: Paving the Road to Opportunity
As commemorative dawn ceremonies took place across New Zealand yesterday, it’s natural to think on what our soldiers must have experienced. Their sacrifice underpins the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today.
Market Patience: The Easter Lesson for Investors
In times of market uncertainty, wealth often transfers from the impatient to the patient. This timeless truth feels particularly relevant today, as markets respond to shifting economic policies and global events with characteristic volatility.
Tariffs & Markets: What History Tells Us About What May Lie Ahead
As markets absorb the implications of Donald Trump's return to the White House, investors are increasingly concerned by his promises to implement new tariffs on imported goods.
The Health Insurance Squeeze: Why Premiums Are Soaring in 2025
New Zealanders with health insurance are facing unprecedented premium increases in 2025. Global risk management firm, Aon, has given us a new and dubious title – announcing that NZ has one of the highest medical trend rates both in APAC and globally, viciously spiking from 7.4% in 2024 to 14.5% in 2025.[i]
The Simple Path to Financial Freedom
The number 400 carries deep significance. It represents completeness, divine perfection, and liberation from bondage – much like how sound financial planning offers a path to freedom from money worries.
Legacy Planning: Preparing for Tomorrow Today
In the journey of life, we often focus on building—building careers, families, wealth, and memories. Yet, an equally important aspect that many overlook is planning for what happens when our journey ends.
The Golden Mirage: Why Kiwi Investors Need Diversification
Imagine your great-great-grandparent bought $1 worth of gold in 1801, and you just inherited it in 2025. You're already planning that luxury holiday to Queenstown or perhaps a beach house in Taupo.
Will Tariffs Trump New Zealand’s Economic Future?
President Donald Trump's tariffs of 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, and similar proposed rates for China and the European Union in the weeks ahead, represent more than just economic policy shifts.
Hedonic Treadmills Have No Finish Line
As Dan Solin (author of ‘The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read’) astutely observes, "The financial media is not your friend. Its primary goal is to separate you from your money."[I]
The 'Great Wealth Transfer’ Myths You Should Know About
The headlines are attention-grabbing all seem to agree: The largest transfer of wealth in history is coming. But how much of this narrative holds up to scrutiny? There are several myths that need addressing.
