10 Sep 2026
1 month ago
458 views
The average KiwiSaver balance has surpassed $40,000 for the first time, with total investments reaching $138.8 billion and strong growth in member contributions and new enrollments. Increased competition in the KiwiSaver market is evident, with 460,000 fund switches and $7.4 billion moved between providers last year, encouraging members to review and choose better options. Additionally, the government introduced a bill allowing workers in service tenancies to use KiwiSaver for home purchases, supporting first-home buyers and enhancing savings accessibility.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
465 views
New legislation will allow farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing rules that previously excluded rural workers from first-home withdrawals. The bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver funds for farms owned through companies, trusts, or partnerships they control, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. These changes aim to make homeownership fairer and reduce debt for rural workers, enabling them to own property alongside their work.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
531 views
New legislation allows farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing previous rules that excluded rural workers required to live on-site. The KiwiSaver (First Home or Farm) Amendment Bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use their savings when purchasing a farm through a majority-owned company, trust, or partnership, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. This change aims to make farm ownership more accessible, reducing debt for new owners and recognizing the contributions of rural workers.
06 Aug 2026
2 months ago
663 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce Minister Cameron Brewer announced James Miller as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for a five-year term starting August 6, highlighting his extensive experience in capital markets and governance. The government aims to reform New Zealand's capital markets by reducing costs and complexity to encourage local listings and strengthen KiwiSaver balances, with the FMA now overseeing consumer credit regulation as a single financial markets conduct regulator. Additionally, Trevor Janes was appointed to the FMA board for two years, both bringing significant expertise to support the FMA's role in promoting fair, efficient, and transparent financial markets.
14 Jul 2026
3 months ago
659 views
The Government is seeking feedback on the next phase of capital market reforms aimed at lowering the cost of raising capital for Kiwi businesses and improving returns for investors, with a focus on modernizing rules to keep pace with innovation and maintain investor protections. This phase follows last year’s reforms that reduced compliance costs and barriers to listing on the NZX, and now targets eight specific areas including product disclosure, director liability, crowdfunding limits, and broker activity. The consultation, open for six weeks, invites input from businesses, investors, and financial advisers to help create dynamic, competitive markets that support economic growth.
20 Jun 2026
4 months ago
833 views
Nearly 99.5% of KiwiSaver contributors have accepted the increased default contribution rate from 3% to 3.5%, enhancing their retirement savings and financial security. This change affects about 1.8 million employees, with contributions rising from 6% to 7% of wages when including employer matches, and will increase further in 2028. The higher contributions are projected to significantly boost retirement funds, helping young New Zealanders both in retirement and in purchasing their first homes.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
867 views
The 2026 Budget allocates $2.1 billion to continue building a world-leading education system in New Zealand, focusing on enhancing secondary curriculum development, professional learning for teachers, and expanding industry-aligned vocational pathways. Significant investments include $90 million for updating national qualifications through NZQA, $559 million for school infrastructure, and targeted funding for supporting diverse learner needs such as health, language, and special education. These initiatives build on prior reforms to improve literacy and numeracy, aiming to raise achievement, close equity gaps, and prepare students with skills aligned to the future workforce.
13 May 2026
5 months ago
1006 views
The speech addresses New Zealand’s need to adapt to a rapidly changing, multipolar world marked by shifting power dynamics, increased security threats, and challenges to the rules-based international order. It emphasizes strengthening national security through enhanced defense capabilities, energy independence, social cohesion, and fiscal responsibility, while maintaining and evolving international relationships and trade partnerships. The speaker calls for a collective effort to prepare New Zealand for future uncertainties by investing in resilience, unity, and prudent governance to secure the nation’s prosperity and values.
14 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1034 views
David Boyle has been appointed as New Zealand's Retirement Commissioner for a three-year term starting May 18, announced by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer. Boyle brings extensive experience in retirement savings, having played a key role in establishing KiwiSaver and previously worked on financial wellbeing initiatives and education programs at the Retirement Commission. Brewer also thanked outgoing commissioner Jane Wrightson for her six years of leadership in improving financial capability and retirement outcomes.
29 Mar 2026
6 months ago
1320 views
From 1 April, the New Zealand government will increase financial support for over a million citizens, including superannuitants, working families, students, and beneficiaries, to help offset rising living costs due to the global fuel-price surge and Middle East conflict. Key measures include increased NZ Superannuation payments, boosted family tax credits, in-work tax credits, and changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates to encourage long-term savings. The government emphasizes targeted, responsible support to manage inflation and economic growth while safeguarding New Zealand’s financial future amid global uncertainties.
01 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1343 views
The Government is amending the KiwiSaver Act to allow rural workers in service tenancies, such as farm workers and rural teachers, to use their KiwiSaver funds for first home purchases without needing to live in the property. Additionally, the changes will enable first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver balances to buy farms through commercial entities they majority own, reflecting modern farm ownership practices. These reforms aim to remove barriers for rural communities while maintaining KiwiSaver’s core purpose, with legislation expected to be introduced mid-year.
22 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1304 views
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announces changes to support business growth and capital markets in New Zealand. The Government is adjusting climate reporting regulations to reduce costs and encourage listings on the NZX. Changes include raising the reporting threshold, adjusting liability settings, and excluding managed investment schemes. These adjustments aim to ensure robust reporting, maintain market competitiveness, and provide clearer information on investments for KiwiSaver and managed funds.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2008 views
The Government has agreed to raise the probate threshold from $15,000 to $40,000 to make it easier and cheaper for families to access assets of deceased loved ones, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. The current threshold set in 2009 no longer reflects the value of estates, especially with KiwiSaver balances, leading to smaller estates being burdened by court costs and legal fees. The increase aims to allow executors to distribute lower-value assets more efficiently, ensuring more of the estate goes to beneficiaries, while still maintaining oversight through the High Court for higher value assets to prevent fraud or non-compliance with the deceased's wishes.
30 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1944 views
Kiwibank has been authorized to enhance its competition with the dominant Australian-owned banks in New Zealand's banking sector by raising up to $500 million in capital for growth. This move is aimed at enabling Kiwibank to better compete with the big four Australian banks while preserving its New Zealand identity. The government has approved measures to ensure Kiwibank's New Zealand identity, including maintaining majority government ownership and requiring key operational aspects to remain in New Zealand.