Economy Made Simple #3 | BUDGET 2025: Govt finances, explained
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks how government finances actually work – and why they matter to us all. From tax and spending to investment and debt, he breaks down the jargon we hear so often in political debates and media headlines, and explains how public finance is really just a larger version of household budgeting - with long-term consequences for our country's future. This episode covers:Where New Zealand’s government revenue comes from, including income tax, GST and other smaller sourcesWhat our taxes pay for, from superannuation and healthcare to infrastructure and public servicesThe key difference between the govt's day-to-day spending and long-term investmentWhen government borrowing makes sense – and when it doesn’tWhy conversations about debt and deficits often confuse short-term costs with long-term valueThe trade-offs we face as a country: higher taxes vs fewer services, short-term fixes vs long-term gainsThis episode aims to shed light on why and how debates about tax, spending and government borrowing affect everyone – and why no matter what’s promised, there are always trade-offs. Shamubeel explains how to cut through the noise, ask better questions, and understand the bigger picture behind political headlines.---Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!Find us: InstagramFacebookLinkedInDisclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.
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10:40
MMS #47 | From PIEs to PIRs: All your questions about tax and KiwiSaver answered
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the not-so-sexy but super important topic of tax – specifically how it works inside your KiwiSaver.Tax might not be everyone’s idea of a good time (trust us, we get it), but understanding the basics can make a big difference to how confident you feel about your KiwiSaver. Whether you've noticed your balance dropping in March, or you're just trying to figure out what a PIR is, this episode is for you.This episode covers:Where, when and how your KiwiSaver is taxedWhat PIE funds are (hint: nothing to do with food unfortunately) and how tax works inside themThe difference between how NZ and international investments are taxedWhy you still pay tax even when your fund has made a lossHow your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR) affects your tax bill – and how to check it’s rightWhat happens when you move overseas or have a kids’ KiwiSaver fund or joint investment fundWhy paying more tax could actually be a good thing!Resources mentioned in this episode:IRD’s PIR Calculator – work out your correct PIRSorted – online resource for financial planning tools and informationMoneyHub’s tax guide Canstar's blog – Is KiwiSaver Taxed?Simplicity’s tax FAQAt the time of year, tax is one of the most common topics our Investor Services team gets asked about – and for good reason. So tune in and get the lowdown on KiwiSaver tax (with a few very average tax jokes thrown in for good measure - sorry in advance).---Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!Find us: InstagramFacebookLinkedInDisclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.
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20:22
Economy Made Simple #2 | Social cohesion - the glue of a functioning society. Is it lost in NZ?!
In this thought-provoking episode of Economy Made Simple, Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is joined by Liv to help unpack the very important but complex topic of social cohesion. They discuss what it means, why it’s under pressure, and how it underpins everything from economic stability to effective policymaking in Aotearoa. Drawing on global trends and New Zealand-specific data, Shamubeel explores how growing inequality and distrust are slowly eroding the social glue that helps society function and progress. This episode covers:What social cohesion actually is, and how it differs from political or social uniformityHow rising inequality, entrenched poverty, and declining trust in institutions are undermining cohesionReal-world examples from the US, UK, and NZ that show what happens when cohesion breaks downThe difference between levels of social cohesion in Australia and New Zealand (you might be surprised!)Why a more united, cohesive society is essential to make big, future-focused decisions (like retirement reform and climate action)How KiwiSaver – if evolved thoughtfully – could support both retirement wellbeing and intergenerational fairnessThis episode invites listeners to think more deeply about how social division affects not just politics, but everyday life – and what it will take to protect and rebuild the collective trust we're going to need to move forward. Shamubeel reminds us that New Zealand society isn’t broken, but the cracks are starting to show and need to be addressed. If we can strengthen our sense of shared purpose and empathy, we’ll be better equipped to tackle the big challenges ahead.---Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!Find us: InstagramFacebookLinkedInDisclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.
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23:28
MMS #46 | Paying too much? A guide to smarter spending with Consumer NZ
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie chats with Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy about the real pressures New Zealanders are facing in today’s challenging economy – and what we can ALL do about it. From overpriced groceries to big power bills, Jon breaks down the biggest consumer issues and gives practical tips for navigating your way to smarter spending habits. This episode covers: Why supermarket prices are so high and what’s stopping real competitionHow power pricing works (AKA why it’s often unfair for everyday Kiwis)Your personal rights under the Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees ActHow to switch providers and negotiate better deals, especially for power!The "right to repair" movement and how it could reduce waste (and save you dollars)Why lodging complaints matters - and how it can lead to real changeResources mentioned in this episode:Consumer NZ – Independent consumer info, product reviews, and advicePowerswitch.org.nz – Compare electricity plans and providersRight to Repair Bill – Advocacy for better product longevityCommerce Commission – Government regulator for competition and consumer protectionLife can be bloody expensive right now – but we know that knowledge is power. So tune in to learn your rights and get practical tips to stretch your dollar further.---Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!Find us: InstagramFacebookLinkedInDisclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.
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21:41
MMS #45 | Navigating a choppy job market: how to keep (or find) your dream job
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into effective strategies for building job resilience during an economic downturn (like we're seeing right now). If you're worried about your job security or looking to secure a new job, this episode will arm you with the insights and strategies you may be seeking. This episode covers:Current trends in unemployment, business closures, job applications and how these affect everyday KiwisHow to make yourself indispensable at work when redundancies may be on the horizonStrategies for effective job hunting, including how to optimise your CV (and how to use the various job platforms and networks you may not know of!)When to use AI, and when to avoid it - an important distinction when applying for jobs!The importance of building your personal brand - what, how, whyDifferent ways you can network, whether you have a job or are on the huntTips on building your own financial resilience (aka safety net) to prepare for the worst, while hoping for the bestResources mentioned in this episode:- Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)'s Labour market snapshot 2025 provides the statistics we quoted around unemployment, job seekers and business liquidations- Statistics New Zealand has even more stats on the job market if you're hungry for more- LinkedIn professional networking platform (also great for job hunting!)- Zeil - Zuru's new job app/marketplace- Digital Passport: Offers free online courses in digital skills, job readiness, and AI, provided by the NZ government- NZ Polytechnic: Offers some fees-free courses including diplomas in various disciplines- Sorted.org.nz for financial planning tools- MMS episode #26 for more on Rainy Day Funds, and MMS episodes #7 and #8 for managing debt. Bonus - MMS #32 for budgeting (great for working out how to trim costs if your income gets reduced)Â By the end of this episode, we hope that you'll feel a little more comfortable facing what is obviously quite a challenging economic time for NZ (and the world) right now! We want you to be confident in facing the uncertainty we're seeing, given you'll have an arsenal of skills, ideas and ways to network your way to your next great opportunity - whatever that may look like!---Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!Find us: InstagramFacebookLinkedInDisclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.
Welcome to Money Made Simple, a family of NZ-based financial literacy podcasts from Simplicity which keep it simple and get straight to the point. We want ALL Kiwis to have dignity, and a dignified life is one with choices. What can help with more choices? More money. So we're here to make Kiwis richer and smarter with money.MONEY MADE SIMPLE WITH JENNIE AND LIV:Join co-hosts Liv and Jennie on a fortnightly basis to help you understand the basics around money, finances, investing, KiwiSaver, and planning for a better future. We aim to provide information in a bite-sized, easy-to-listen way that simplifies the jargon. 'Cos who's got time for that! We want you to feel empowered and confident when thinking about money and investing - whether that be via KiwiSaver, investment funds, the share market, property, or whatever suits you.THE ECONOMY MADE SIMPLE WITH SHAMUBEEL EAQUB:Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's Chief Economist, on a monthly basis to help you understand what's happening in the economy, job market, politics and financial markets. Tune in to get economic updates, interviews with NZ's key movers and shakers, and deep dives into topics you might want to understand better.You can join the Simplicity community via the following channels:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplicity_kiwi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplicitykiwiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplicity-kiwi/Or check out our website: https://simplicity.kiwi/Cheers for listening - we appreciate each and every one of you %)
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