The Prosperity Project

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is property investing actually dead? Investor Ilse Wolfe doesn’t think so, but she says the old way of doing it is. Ilse joins Nadine to share her strategies for making property investment work in 2026. From surviving negative equity early on to building strong cashflow, Wolfe argues it’s still viable, if you’re willing to be active and rethink the playbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, more than ever, it might seem like a good idea to invest in an electric vehicle, but does it make sense financially? Johnathan Sergel, the AA’s chief mobility officer, joins Nadine to dive into the costs involved with owning and running an EV, and how those costs compare to running a petrol vehicle. With rising fuel costs and EV sales surging, now's the time to do the maths and figure out what makes the best sense for you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying your first home is seen as a key milestone signifying success in your financial journey, while “just" renting is somehow seen as being behind. But Luke Kemeys of the Keep the Change Podcast and Next Advisory sees it differently. For him, it’s a deliberate choice – and he thinks we need to look at renting differently. Luke joins Nadine Higgins to explain why he thinks renting often makes more financial sense than owning your own home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial education is now embedded in maths classes for students in years 0-10, and from next year it will also form part of the social sciences curriculum. Until this year, financial education in schools has been haphazard, with research showing only 20 percent of students received it in some form. Sorted in Schools learning lead Yasmin Frazer joins Nadine to discuss what our kids are being taught about money and why we need to be careful around money conversations at home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When news of events like the war in Iran hit share markets – everyday investors often act on instinct, but what do professional investors do? This week, Nadine is joined by Sam Dickie, a senior portfolio manager at Fisher Funds. Together they talk through what happens to investing when the world is on fire. The Prosperity Project is now available on video! Watch now on nzherald.co.nz or YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial mentor David Very joins Nadine Higgins to unpack why 2025 hit so many New Zealanders so hard—and whether 2026 will bring any real relief. From high-income earners stretched by huge mortgages to pensioners squeezed by rising costs, he explains why financial stress is now cutting across every part of society. David breaks down where to start when you’re underwater, what actually works when tackling debt, the traps in consolidation and balance transfers, how to negotiate with lenders, and why KiwiSaver hardship should stay a last resort. If this year knocked you around, this episode helps you map a realistic way back to stability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BusinessDesk journalist Maria Slade joins Nadine to discuss her new investigative podcast, The Fall of the House of Du Val, which details how the company collapsed and what it reveals about the country’s investment rules. Listen to The Fall of The House of Du Val on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear a lot about how we need to save for retirement, but less is known about how to make that money last once you need to start drawing on it. Tom Hartmann from the Retirement Commission joins Nadine to talk about Sorted's Retirement Navigator. The new tool processes customisable values in order to help those nearing retirement (or already there) figure out how much they have to live on and for how long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think paying off the family home will have you sorted for retirement? That might have been a solid plan once upon a time, but times have changed and and perhaps your retirement plan should change too.  Michael Vincent, mortgage director at Lighthouse Financial, joins Nadine to talk the dangers of relying on your house to look after you in later life, and what you should be doing instead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI stocks have exploded, with Nvidia soaring past a $5 trillion valuation. But is this growth justified, or are investors repeating the mistakes of the dot-com era? Mark Lister, investment director at Craigs Investment Partners, joins Nadine to talk about whether AI’s rally is a genuine revolution or a sign of market froth. Together they unpack the risks of over-exposure, the importance of diversification, and why hype doesn’t always equal profit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin has cracked six figures in US dollars, but does all the hype mean it's a good investment.  Janine Granger, co-founder of Easy Crypto, joins Nadine to demystify the wild world of digital currency. From Bitcoin versus blockchain to meme coins, stablecoins, and the rise and fall of NFTs, they unpack what crypto really is, how it works, and how to invest without getting scammed (or losing your digital wallet). Whether you’re a true believer or still think it’s all Monopoly money, we hope to leave you better equipped to answer that eternal barbecue question: “so, what do you reckon about crypto?”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.