A finance expert warns New Zealanders need reasons to pay in to KiwiSaver, if they're being told to contribute more.

National's made a pre-election pledge to progressively raise baseline worker and employer contributions by 2032 - to six percent each.

Koura Wealth managing director Rupert Carlyon says that's a nudge to contribute, but more's needed to turn it into a push. 

He says the US, Australia and Ireland use incentives. 

"These are all countries that use tax breaks, so tax deductions for contributions or tax deductions to allow you to kind of make your gains tax-free."

LISTEN ABOVE