Recent KiwiSaver changes were meant to strengthen the scheme, but one expert says they risk doing the opposite.

Mary Holm joins Nadine Higgins to break down why cuts to government contributions hit low income earners hardest, and how current settings could deepen inequality over time.

So who is KiwiSaver working for? Why are some workers are missing out on employer support altogether? And what are the unintended incentives baked into the system?

Plus, the changes Holm wants to see, from government contributions for beneficiaries to emergency “sidecar” savings designed to stop people falling into debt when life hits.

Recent KiwiSaver changes were meant to strengthen the scheme, but one expert says they risk doing the opposite.
Mary Holm joins Nadine Higgins to break down why cuts to government contributions hit low income earners hardest, and how current settings could deepen inequality over time.
So who is KiwiSaver working for? Why are some workers are missing out on employer support altogether? And what are the unintended incentives baked into the system?
Plus, the changes Holm wants to see, from government contributions for beneficiaries to emergency &ldquo;sidecar&rdquo; savings designed to stop people falling into debt when life hits.

The Prosperity Project is a weekly personal finance podcast from the NZ Herald. Join host Nadine Higgins every Monday as she talks to experts from New Zealand and around the world about the biggest money issues to help you become more prosperous.  

Follow The Prosperity Project on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. To get in touch with the podcast, email nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz 

The Prosperity Project is a weekly personal finance podcast from the NZ Herald. Join host Nadine Higgins every Monday as she talks to experts from New Zealand and around the world about the biggest money issues to help you become more prosperous.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Follow The Prosperity Project on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. To get in touch with the podcast, email <a href="mailto:nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz">nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz</a>&nbsp;

The Prosperity Project

Is KiwiSaver working the way it should?

Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage adviser Adam Clark, too many Kiwis are focusing on the wrong things.

In this episode of The Prosperity Project, Adam joins Nadine Higgins to unpack the psychology of mortgages, why obsessing over tiny rate differences can backfire, and the financial habits that quietly cost borrowers hundreds of thousands over the life of a loan.

They also dive into refinancing, cashback offers, fixing strategies, mortgage structures, EV lending and the dangerous temptation of “cheap debt”.

Plus:
Why banks hike rates before the Reserve Bank moves
The truth about cashback “free money”
Why fixing for the shortest term isn’t always smartest

Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage adviser Adam Clark, too many Kiwis are focusing on the wrong things.
In this episode of The Prosperity Project, Adam joins Nadine Higgins to unpack the psychology of mortgages, why obsessing over tiny rate differences can backfire, and the financial habits that quietly cost borrowers hundreds of thousands over the life of a loan.
They also dive into refinancing, cashback offers, fixing strategies, mortgage structures, EV lending and the dangerous temptation of &ldquo;cheap debt&rdquo;.
Plus:
<ul>
<li>Why banks hike rates before the Reserve Bank moves</li>
<li>The truth about cashback &ldquo;free money&rdquo;</li>
<li>Why fixing for the shortest term isn&rsquo;t always smartest</li>
</ul>

The mortgage traps costing Kiwis thousands 

It's one thing to talk about money, and and something else entirely to talk to it. But for Rachel Davies, that shift changed everything.

Rachel and her Hi Money co-founder Angela Meyer join Nadine to unpack the emotional side of money. From avoidance and binge spending to deeply held beliefs about luck, scarcity and security, they argue most of us don’t have a knowledge problem, we have a relationship problem.

They share the therapy-style exercise that reframed their thinking, why so many people still rely on “it’ll work out somehow”, and the hidden costs women face, from the wage gap to the pink tax.

It's one thing to talk about money, and and something else entirely to talk to it. But for Rachel Davies, that shift changed everything.
Rachel and her Hi Money co-founder Angela Meyer join Nadine to unpack the emotional side of money. From avoidance and binge spending to deeply held beliefs about luck, scarcity and security, they argue most of us don&rsquo;t have a knowledge problem, we have a relationship problem.
They share the therapy-style exercise that reframed their thinking, why so many people still rely on &ldquo;it&rsquo;ll work out somehow&rdquo;, and the hidden costs women face, from the wage gap to the pink tax.

If your money could talk to you, what would it say?

Helping your kids get ahead financially sounds simple, but get it wrong and things unravel fast.

Wealth and succession lawyer Andrew Clements has seen what happens when it goes wrong, from family disputes to parents losing their homes. He joins Nadine Higgins to talk about why undocumented support can become a legal minefield, his one firm rule against guarantees, and why even advice from banks can put families at risk.

Plus, why treating support as a loan not a gift can protect both your money and your relationships, and the one conversation every parent should have before offering help.

Helping your kids get ahead financially sounds simple, but get it wrong and things unravel fast. Wealth and succession lawyer Andrew Clements has seen what happens when it goes wrong, from family disputes to parents losing their homes. He joins Nadine Higgins to talk about why undocumented support can become a legal minefield, his one firm rule against guarantees, and why even advice from banks can put families at risk. Plus, why treating support as a loan not a gift can protect both your money and your relationships, and the one conversation every parent should have before offering help.

Is KiwiSaver working the way it should?

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