That Home Loan Hub

PIR is one of those tiny settings that can quietly shape your after-tax returns for years, and most people only notice it as three letters on a KiwiSaver statement. We bring Dave in for a plain-English Tax Chat to explain what PIR (prescribed investor rate) actually is, how it works inside PIE funds and unit trusts, and why it’s different from your normal income tax rate.

We unpack the part that surprises most listeners: for many KiwiSaver and PIE investments, the top PIR is capped at 28%, even if your personal tax rate is 33% or 39%. That can make KiwiSaver tax more efficient for some people using it as a retirement savings vehicle. We also talk through the real-world risk: if your circumstances change and your PIR doesn’t, you can end up paying the wrong amount. Overpaying can be especially painful because you may not be able to claim it back, while underpaying can still lead to a bill later.

You’ll get the key PIR bands (10.5%, 17.5%, 28%) and a practical checklist for staying up to date, including where to find your PIR in your provider’s app or portal and how MyIR can help if it’s not clear. If you’ve ever changed jobs, had time off to look after kids, reduced hours, or simply set your KiwiSaver up years ago and never looked again, this is the nudge to check.

Subscribe for more straight-talking money chats, share this with someone who has KiwiSaver, and leave a review if it helped, then go check your PIR today and tell us what you found.
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A builder’s report can feel like a bunch of headlines until you know how to read the labels and what they imply for real risk, real money, and real next steps. We sit down with Evan to translate the common report terms into plain English, so you can stop guessing and start prioritising. If you’re buying a home, supporting a client, or simply trying to understand what you’re looking at before going unconditional, this is the practical guide we wish everyone had.

We unpack what a New Zealand pre-purchase building inspection report typically covers, from exterior claddings and roof spaces to subfloors, sites, and moisture readings. Evan explains the difference between cosmetic issues and minor maintenance, and why that distinction changes fast depending on the scale of the home, from an 80 square metre weatherboard to a 350 square metre two-storey property. We also dig into “action required”, the phrase banks and lawyers latch onto, and how it links to weathertightness risk and long-term deterioration if defects are left unattended.

We then get into judgement calls that matter: when something becomes a safety hazard, like a second-storey deck balustrade with timber decay, and when a report has to say “further investigation” because access or conditions prevent a complete view. Finally, we talk about the growing habit of throwing reports into AI, what it does well, and what it can miss without the right prompts, plus where electrical checks sit in a builder’s scope and why older wiring can trigger insurance requirements.

If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a review so more Kiwis can buy with confidence. What part of a builder’s report do you find hardest to interpret?
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Numbers don’t have to be boring, especially when they mess with your assumptions about money. We corner Dave from Booster for a rapid-fire run through KiwiSaver stats that hit right where it counts: first home buying, retirement savings, and the small choices that compound into massive outcomes over time. If you’ve ever thought “my balance isn’t big enough to matter”, this chat is the reality check. 

We start with first home buyers and the average KiwiSaver withdrawal of about $42,000. We unpack what that figure can mean for deposits, borrowing power, and why even a 1 to 2% higher contribution rate while saving can change your interest rate and your options. Then we get into fund choice after you buy, including the shift away from conservative funds and why a long-term growth approach can leave someone dramatically better off by retirement. 

From there we tackle a stat that should stop anyone mid-scroll: around 1.6 million KiwiSaver members are not contributing. We talk through the common reasons, what contribution holidays can cost in missed employer contributions, and practical ways to build savings habits anyway, from putting $20 into a kid’s KiwiSaver to swapping flashy gifts for something that actually multiplies. We also touch on rising average balances, more members crossing $80k, the biggest generational wealth transfer in history, and why managed funds and diversification can matter alongside KiwiSaver. 

If you want KiwiSaver advice that stays grounded in real New Zealand behaviour and real-world constraints like the cost of living, press play. Subscribe, share it with a mate who needs a nudge, and leave a review with your current contribution rate and what would help you lift it.
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One small moisture reading can be the start of a very expensive story. We’re talking about the moment every buyer dreads: you’ve got a builder’s report, something looks “maybe fine”, and you have to decide whether to push forward, negotiate, or pull the pin before settlement.

We sit down with Evan from Czech Home Building Inspections to walk through a real pre-purchase building inspection in Lower Hutt. The house looked well cared for, but a fully tiled bathroom showed elevated moisture readings. Evan explains how moisture meters work, why tiled showers can produce confusing results, and why inspectors often recommend monitoring or further investigation instead of making absolute calls. Then the crucial part: the buyers got permission to lift tiles, and the studs inside the wall were rotten. Suddenly you’re not talking about a minor fix, you’re staring down a full waterproofing rebuild, consent questions, and a quote around $40,000 in today’s money.

We also get practical about what this means for first home buyers in New Zealand. Even if you’ve got the skills to renovate, bank lending decisions can hinge on the property’s condition and the size of the unknowns. If you’re relying on a builder’s report to guide your due diligence, this chat will help you understand risk language, when to dig deeper, and how to make a call you can live with.

If you found this useful, please subscribe, share it with a mate who’s house hunting, and leave a review so more Kiwi buyers can find it.
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Admin doesn’t just steal hours, it steals creative energy. Heather Newstap from Time Journey joins us to unpack what “behind-the-scenes” support really looks like for artists, musicians, educators, and tiny teams who have a brilliant product but get stuck in the business side. We talk about everything from email overwhelm to building resources, creating lyric sheets and ukulele chords, and the practical problem every creative faces: getting the work in front of the right audience without burning out.

Heather’s story is also a masterclass in the career pivot. She moves from teaching to public health, then into self-employment on the Kāpiti Coast, learning the hard way that your first business version might be too broad. We get honest about early mistakes, why a good business coach can fast-track clarity, and the confidence shift that happens when you stop people-pleasing and start choosing clients who respect your expertise.

We also zoom out to women in business in New Zealand: the pressure of juggling family life, the confidence gap, and why safe networking spaces matter. Then we go practical on money and marketing, including why referrals beat cold leads, how to price “thinking work”, and what AI can and can’t replace when trust and authenticity are on the line. If you’re building a small business, supporting creatives, or looking for a smarter way to run your back office, you’ll take away ideas you can use today.

If this resonates, hit subscribe, share it with a friend who’s juggling too much, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What’s one task you’d love to hand off this week?
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Buy your first home in NZ Weekly Webinars 
You thought it's not possible or the dream is too far away? Come to my webinar and I will show you, you are much closer to your dream, than you think you are!
Join Here - https://bit.ly/4m9SL72