The cost of living crisis is hitting New Zealanders hard, with many putting retirement savings on the backburner.

The number of people contributing to KiwiSaver fell for the first time in the year to March 2025, according to the Financial Markets Authority’s annual KiwiSaver report.

FMA chief executive Samantha Barrass says these difficult circumstances have forced people to make 'difficult choices' about what to prioritise. 

She explained more households need to decide between putting food on the table, paying the mortgage and repairs - and it's important for providers to reach out to people who've paused KiwiSaver contributions. 

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The cost of living crisis is hitting New Zealanders hard, with many putting retirement savings on the backburner.
The number of people contributing to KiwiSaver fell for the first time in the year to March 2025, according to the Financial Markets Authority’s annual KiwiSaver report.
FMA chief executive Samantha Barrass says these difficult circumstances have forced people to make 'difficult choices' about what to prioritise.&nbsp;
She explained more households need to decide between putting food on the table, paying the mortgage and repairs - and it's important for providers to reach out to people who've paused KiwiSaver contributions.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Samantha Barrass: FMA chief executive on the decrease in Kiwi workers contributing to their KiwiSavers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/47fc8d85-1658-4a18-93f5-b354006a1df4/transcript

There's a view Government attacks on public service workers are driving them out of the country. 

New Public Service Commission data finds a quarter are considering quitting the country for better pay overseas. 

Health and public service department workers are most likely to pack their bags.

PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says workers want to build a future here, but they're seeing an 'onslaught' of measures that negatively impact them.

"We saw it in the cuts to public services, we've seen it in the cancelling of pay equity claims, now they're coming after holidays and leave in their changes with the Employment Leave Bill. It's not surprising that people are looking to go overseas." 

LISTEN ABOVE

There's a view Government attacks on public service workers are driving them out of the country.&nbsp;
New Public Service Commission data finds a quarter are considering quitting the country for better pay overseas.&nbsp;
Health and public service department workers are most likely to pack their bags.
PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says workers want to build a future here, but they're seeing an 'onslaught' of measures that negatively impact them.
"We saw it in the cuts to public services, we've seen it in the cancelling of pay equity claims, now they're coming after holidays and leave in their changes with the Employment Leave Bill. It's not surprising that people are looking to go overseas."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Fleur Fitzsimons: PSA National Secretary on the number of public servants looking to move overseas for work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3e5717e3-86d9-44df-80e9-b44700711049/transcript

The proposed privately-backed NZ20 competition will be readjusted for a 2028 launch instead, NZ Cricket confirmed. 

Organisers have pushed back the launch by a full year, abandoning plans to mark out their run-up in January 2027.

NZ20 establishment committee chair Don Mackinnon says it's a shared decision between the organisation and NZ Cricket - and it's important to get things right.

"Unfortunately, the window that we've got for January '27 is just too tight, particularly with the other commitments that we've locked in for test cricket. So it makes good sense."

LISTEN ABOVE

The proposed privately-backed NZ20 competition will be readjusted for a 2028 launch instead, NZ Cricket confirmed.&nbsp;
Organisers have pushed back the launch by a full year, abandoning plans to mark out their run-up in January 2027.
NZ20 establishment committee chair Don Mackinnon says it's a shared decision between the organisation and NZ Cricket - and it's important to get things right.
"Unfortunately, the window that we've got for January '27 is just too tight, particularly with the other commitments that we've locked in for test cricket. So it makes good sense."
LISTEN ABOVE

Don Mackinnon: NZ20 establishment committee chair on the competition being delayed until 2028

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/af853665-c82c-4177-b382-b447006daca3/transcript

There's confidence from some that the hantavirus outbreak won't turn into another worldwide pandemic.

Passengers are being evacuated and returning to home countries, including one New Zealander.

Authorities say one of five French passengers developed symptoms flying to Paris, and will isolate until further notice. 

Otago University epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says person to person transmission is very unusual for this virus.

"And when they're investigated, these are often people who are living in the same house or the same bedroom or are spending a lot of time together - it's not from casual contact." 

LISTEN ABOVE

There's confidence from some that the hantavirus outbreak won't turn into another worldwide pandemic.
Passengers are being evacuated and returning to home countries, including one New Zealander.
Authorities say one of five French passengers developed symptoms flying to Paris, and will isolate until further notice.&nbsp;
Otago University epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says person to person transmission is very unusual for this virus.
"And when they're investigated, these are often people who are living in the same house or the same bedroom or are spending a lot of time together - it's not from casual contact."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Michael Baker: Otago University epidemiologist on whether the hantavirus outbreak could become a global pandemic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6edcb225-5585-4b7d-ae21-b4470066645c/transcript

Samantha Barrass: FMA chief executive on the decrease in Kiwi workers contributing to their KiwiSavers

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