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;
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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

'Rotten, corrupt': Tiki Taane takes aim at Spotify as Kiwi artists boycott platform

Many of New Zealand's biggest musicians are boycotting Spotify and ditching the platform amid accusations of exploitation.

Tiki Taane and The Bats are among the big names getting behind Boycott Spotify NZ and other Kiwi bands like Carb on Carb, Synthetic Children and Recitals have signed the statement calling for better treatment. 

Taane has cited greed, corruption and investment in European defence technology company Helsing as some of the key reasons why he's walking away.

"I love music, I love creating music, but I also have to take a stand against corruption, against greed, against war, against murder - the easiest thing for me to do to help support that is to take my music off the platform and cancel my subscription." 

LISTEN ABOVE

<h2>'Rotten, corrupt': Tiki Taane takes aim at Spotify as Kiwi artists boycott platform</h2>
Many of New Zealand's biggest musicians are boycotting Spotify and ditching the platform amid accusations of exploitation.
Tiki Taane and The Bats are among the big names getting behind Boycott Spotify NZ and other Kiwi bands like Carb on Carb, Synthetic Children and Recitals have signed the statement calling for better treatment.&nbsp;
Taane has cited greed, corruption and investment in European defence technology company Helsing as some of the key reasons why he's walking away.
"I love music, I love creating music, but I also have to take a stand against corruption, against greed, against war, against murder - the easiest thing for me to do to help support that is to take my music off the platform and cancel my subscription."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of 2025: Tiki Taane talks the Spotify boycott on Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/90bede4a-e863-4581-8ffb-b3ca00298e04/transcript

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

There's growing calls to scrap NCEA - and the Government is looking to make some changes to the qualification. What do we make of this?

Coldplay's Chris Martin is now warning adulterers to disentangle before the kiss cam comes on. What do we think of this saga? Should the CEO have had to resign? 

The Government has confirmed the new Waikato medical school is under way - do we see the costs blowing out?

LISTEN ABOVE

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
There's growing calls to scrap NCEA - and the Government is looking to make some changes to the qualification. What do we make of this?
Coldplay's Chris Martin is now warning adulterers to disentangle before the kiss cam comes on. What do we think of this saga? Should the CEO have had to resign?&nbsp;
The Government has confirmed the new Waikato medical school is under way - do we see the costs blowing out?
LISTEN ABOVE

Best of 2025: The Huddle - Scrapping NCEA and the Coldplay kiss cam

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c853c4ea-1b46-4f52-97d0-b3c70029941a/transcript

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated. 

"I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens

"We've never seen that before."

LISTEN ABOVE

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated.&nbsp;
"I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens
"We've never seen that before."
LISTEN ABOVE

Peter Lewis: Asia business correspondent says China's economy shows signs of strain

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d17e720d-5d13-4ef5-8a0a-b3b80150f49d/transcript

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

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