Smart Money

Hosted by Newstalk ZB

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Episodes

338

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Looking to make sense of your dollars? Newstalk ZB’s Smart Money delves into the deep, dark recesses of unwanted debt, traverses the highs and lows of investments and helps to ensure you money works for you. Our industry experts give us their top tips on a wide selection of topics including mortgage rates, stock, savings, goal-setting and retirement.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 7, 202641 min

Janet Xuccoa: Your list of trustees has to be tight and reputable

Earlier this year, a Christchurch businessman was found borrowing millions of dollars against his family trusts for his clothing company - racking up a $3-million dollar spend. His sister prompted legal action, and two homes had to be sold as collateral. But that brings up a question - what can we leave behind for our children and family that won't just be squandered or swindled? Trusts and inheritance is a something most families will have to deal with when older-relatives pass, so how assured can we be that assets are protected? Managing Director for New Zealand Family Trust Servicers, Janet Xuccoa joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money... LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 202641 min

Nick Crawford: Households will have to anticipate higher cost-of-living pressures

This week's budget announcement had a focus on sorting out the books, and no straight sugar hits for individuals.Infrastructure, healthcare and education seemed to be the clear priority of our fiscal plan, but three  relief for the cost-of-living pressure many face.  Along with that, council rates have gone up for Auckland and the South Island's West Coast, and the Reserve Bank's signalled that there will be an increase to the OCR shortly - so the period we've seen of low interest rates on a mortgage is coming to an end.  So how can we prepare ourselves for a toughening economy? Was it good that we didn't have any government handouts?  Managing Director for the Private Office - Nick Crawford - joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money...  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 202640 min

Amanda Morrall: What does it really take to retire in 2026?

Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what does it actually take to retire? And, when Super is under threat, and the only stable thing about the global economic climate is its instability, can we rely on the pension being there when we're ready to retire? Author of Money Matters Amanda Morrall chats to Tim Beveridge about how much money you really need to retire. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 10, 202641 min

Martin Hawes: Should the govt fund your retirement?

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.  The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.  But some finance experts say we shouldn't be relying on the government to fund our retirements, and super should be treated as a bonus rather than a survivable income.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 3, 202641 min

Nathan Stanners: Don't get too caught up with checking your KiwiSaver balance

All investment accounts are a bit touch and go at the moment.  If you're checking your KiwiSaver more than a few times a year, the amount of movement could really start to get to your head.  But for those close to or at retirement age, or about to withdraw for whatever reason - a volatile market can make all the difference.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 26, 202641 min

Sharon Chandra: You can't DIY a divorce

Divorce is still one of those taboo topics we tend to avoid, but up to 40% of marriages end that way here in New Zealand, so it's probably about time we become a bit more comfortable with it.  It's not always a hostile end, some couples are even able to "DIY" their split in a sense - but is that really a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 19, 202640 min

Janet Xuccoa: Most people should really have a trust

We often think of trusts as a way to protect your assets, especially if you work in certain fields - but a surprising number of regular families use them for a range of reasons.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 12, 202641 min

Andrew Bascand: Iran conflict impacts more than just gas prices

The hot topic on everyone's minds right now is the price of petrol and diesel.  It seems to be impacting the price of just about everything else, and we're staring down the barrel of a major risk of high inflation.  The OCR remains steady for now, but it's only a matter of time before interest rates are on the up once again.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 29, 202641 min

Amanda Morrall: Saving money with rising costs

Prices are going up.  Food prices are up, and will keep going up alongside fuel. Practically any goods that travel by land air or ocean to get to you will become increasingly unaffordable for the foreseeable future.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 22, 202640 min

Rupert Carlyon: Global tension? Ignore your KiwiSaver

Tensions are high for everyone right now, and I know most people will either be nervously checking their KiwiSaver balance on the daily, or completely ignoring it until things calm down a bit.  The most repeated advice advisors will be giving right now is to simply ignore your balance for the time being - that by the time the first bomb dropped, it was too late to change anything. But is that really true?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.