More than half of New Zealanders say they're starting to sink when it comes to money.

Fresh data collected by the Retirement Commission, shows 55 percent are having a hard time with their finances, up 17 percent from 2021.

However, Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann told Kate Hawkesby the research also shows more people are starting to focus on positive money management skills.

He says more people are considering purchases before they buy, which will help get through this financial rough patch. 

LISTEN ABOVE

More than half of New Zealanders say they're starting to sink when it comes to money.
Fresh data collected by the Retirement Commission, shows 55 percent are having a hard time with their finances, up 17 percent from 2021.
However, Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann told Kate Hawkesby the research also shows more people are starting to focus on positive money management skills.
He says more people are considering purchases before they buy, which will help get through this financial rough patch. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Tom Hartmann: Personal finance expert on data showing 55 percent of Kiwis are starting to sink when it comes to money

Belief July's record tourism numbers is a reflection of an investment finally paying off.  

Stats NZ data shows 256-thousand-600 overseas tourists arrived during the month - overtaking pre-Covid numbers from July 2019 by 0.4 percent.

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Andrew Dickens the effort from local council, regional tourism operators and the Government is finally bearing fruit. 

She says July is usually a quiet time, so the big win is the 70 percent jump in business events that keep Rotorua afloat. 

Belief July's record tourism numbers is a reflection of an investment finally paying off. &nbsp;
Stats NZ data shows 256-thousand-600 overseas tourists arrived during the month - overtaking pre-Covid numbers from July 2019 by 0.4 percent.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told Andrew Dickens the effort from local council, regional tourism operators and the Government is finally bearing fruit.&nbsp;
She says July is usually a quiet time, so the big win is the 70 percent jump in business events that keep Rotorua afloat.&nbsp;

Tania Tapsell: Rotorua Mayor on tourism arrivals overtaking pre-Covid numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5a7a64d5-8bb8-4fe4-8933-b4c5012c8416/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 15th of September 2026, international visitor numbers are finally back above pre-Covid levels, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell tells Andrew how the government's tourism push has helped. 

Migrant arrivals for the year were up 5%, immigration expert Simon Laurent shares his thoughts. 

Our debt situation might be catching up to us as the global bond markets start to get anxious, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Pauline Hanson asked to apologise over nasty and divisive comments about First Nations Australians and the first confirmed case of bird flu, an endangered an Aussie sea lion.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 15th of September 2026, international visitor numbers are finally back above pre-Covid levels, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell tells Andrew how the government's tourism push has helped.&nbsp;
Migrant arrivals for the year were up 5%, immigration expert Simon Laurent shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Our debt situation might be catching up to us as the global bond markets start to get anxious, Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Pauline Hanson asked to apologise over nasty and divisive comments about First Nations Australians and the first confirmed case of bird flu, an endangered an Aussie sea lion.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/78ace574-9620-4e77-8296-b4c5012ac629/transcript

So, the past week has seen immigration policies come to the force.

New Zealand First is signalling a tougher immigration stance, longer waits for residency and citizenship, a referendum to cap new residency approvals at 20,000 a year, and a 30-year population plan tying migrant intake to infrastructure capacity. 

Labour is also tightening its settings, extending residency qualification to four years and promising a Government Policy Statement.
  
But as economists like Bernard Hickey point out these policies miss the real immigration pressure.

New Zealand issues more than 230,000 temporary work visas annually.  

Largely for lower-paid roles on our farms in our kitchens and even in our beauty salons.
 
The temporary workers aren't here forever. But when they go, they're replaced but other temporary visa holders. 

This quarter of a million of temporary visa holders is still driving population growth, straining infrastructure, and suppressing wages.  

They come with problems that no-one is addressing.

Not for the first time politicians can't see the wood for the trees and not for the first time they then release policies that are primarily designed to get votes but not to address the issues.

So, the past week has seen immigration policies come to the force.
New Zealand First is signalling a tougher immigration stance, longer waits for residency and citizenship, a referendum to cap new residency approvals at 20,000 a year, and a 30-year population plan tying migrant intake to infrastructure capacity.&nbsp;
Labour is also tightening its settings, extending residency qualification to four years and promising a Government Policy Statement. &nbsp;&nbsp; But as economists like Bernard Hickey point out these policies miss the real immigration pressure.
New Zealand issues more than 230,000 temporary work visas annually. &nbsp;
Largely for lower-paid roles on our farms in our kitchens and even in our beauty salons. &nbsp; The temporary workers aren't here forever. But when they go, they're replaced but other temporary visa holders.&nbsp;
This quarter of a million of temporary visa holders is still driving population growth, straining infrastructure, and suppressing wages. &nbsp;
They come with problems that no-one is addressing.
Not for the first time politicians can't see the wood for the trees and not for the first time they then release policies that are primarily designed to get votes but not to address the issues.

Andrew Dickens: Politicians are missing the real immigration problem

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bd11023e-8d6f-4252-bc81-b4c5012aae72/transcript

Tom Hartmann: Personal finance expert on data showing 55 percent of Kiwis are starting to sink when it comes to money

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