Andrew Bascand: We've seen the bottom of the rate cycle

Last week the Reserve Bank dropped the OCR 25 basis points to 2.25%, but their tone was a bit more hawkish than usual.  Some analysts are thinking it's a signal that rates have gone as low as the RBNZ is willing to drop them - and the new Governor may be wanting to turn a new leaf in 2026.  LISTE…

Lisa Dudson: Is it time to fix long term?

We got another OCR cut this week - now down to 2.25% - the lowest it's been since June of 2022.  That was the last one for the year, so a lot of us mortgage holders are trying to figure out whether things are slowing down, and if it's time to fix for a longer term this time around.  LISTEN ABOVE

Martin Hawes: Higher earners increasingly seeking budgeting help

Queues at budgeting services are getting longer, and financial advisors are finding households with increasing incomes are seeking help.  Kiwis with a household income of over $200,000 a year and likely with a mortgage are struggling to make ends meet.  It feels like it was only a few years ago t…

Rupert Carlyon: Take a breath before you touch that windfall

Most of us have spent the past few days daydreaming about what we would spend $55 million on.  Pay off the mortgage, book a holiday, send some off to charity, throw the rest in a term deposit. Three lucky punters each one a share of the jackpot last night - $18.3 million each.  Not many of us wi…

Hamish Pepper: The NZ economy is finally recovering

The Reserve Bank shocked a lot of us last month when it cut the OCR by 50 basis points down to 2.5%. Analysts have said that the RBNZ was reading the room and giving kiwis a much needed breather after years of high rates.  Early signs are showing it's starting to have an effect - with the GDP est…

Max Whitehead: Be careful when placing a complaint with HR

Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as the coach of the Silver Ferns in September due to 'significant issues' in the team. After many public statements and interviews, she was reinstated at the end of last month.  Netball NZ, her employer, remained just vague enough that the public could allow thei…

Janet Xuccoa: What's the point of a trust?

Trusts are hardly mentioned outside of when wealth tax is in the news, or when someone mentions their accountant told them to get one. One side of the political aisle seems to have a good list of reasons as to why someone would need a trust, while the other side seems to be convinced that essentia…

Amanda Morrall: There's more to life besides money

An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023. 50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands. It's one thing to be spending less on non-…

Martin Hawes: Does a new Reserve Bank governor even matter?

A new governor has been appointed for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - all the way from Sweden.  Dr Anna Breman has already received criticism from economists who find themselves concerned that someone with such little knowledge of the New Zealand economy will hold such a high stakes position.  …

Hamish Pepper: Forecasts rise for OCR after GDP shrinks

The economy had a worse than expected drop in the June quarter, shrinking 0.9%.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has blamed it on global turmoil, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand says there's a need to provide more stimulus to the economy by cutting the OCR.  LISTEN ABOVE