The SME Stream

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.
The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.
But some finance experts say we shouldn't be relying on the government to fund our retirements, and super should be treated as a bonus rather than a survivable income.
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Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage adviser Adam Clark, too many Kiwis are focusing on the wrong things.
In this episode of The Prosperity Project, Adam joins Nadine Higgins to unpack the psychology of mortgages, why obsessing over tiny rate differences can backfire, and the financial habits that quietly cost borrowers hundreds of thousands over the life of a loan.
They also dive into refinancing, cashback offers, fixing strategies, mortgage structures, EV lending and the dangerous temptation of “cheap debt”.
Plus:
Why banks hike rates before the Reserve Bank moves
The truth about cashback “free money”
Why fixing for the shortest term isn’t always smartest
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio to discuss two major policy changes announced last week - abolishing fees free study, and raising the age of superannuation.
Luxon said that although the changes may not be 'politically popular' they are important, and other party's aren't brave enough to agree.
"I think they're being quite dishonest in terms of not facing up to the challenge that we've got and I think just chucking it down the road to the kids and grandkids isn't the right way," he said.
"So, I get it's not politically popular, but actually we should have a bigger conversation and a debate about it."
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to start lifting the pension age if National get back into government after the coming election.
Bipartisan support will most likely be needed to make this happen as parties, like NZ First, are staunchly against the reform.
"Please do not attack grandmother and grandmother's savings to try and disguise for a brief time your economic incompetence," Winston Peters said to Heather du Plessis-Allan
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Independent Economist and Property Commentator Tony Alexander regularly surveys real estate agents.
His latest survey found that 44% feel prices are falling in the area, 51% see fewer people that open homes, and 50% are seeing fewer investors.
Alexander contributes this to a number of reasons including global conflict and job instability, but first-home buyers are remaining strong.
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