The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 2.25%, continuing the gradual easing cycle that began in 2024. This latest decision reflects growing confidence that inflation is easing, while the wider economy is still in the early stages of recovery. At the same time, the […]
Author Archives: Kieran
Quick money wins for 2026
A new year brings the chance to reset, refocus and make a few simple improvements that can have a lasting impact. When it comes to your finances, even small steps can make a real difference. Here are some easy wins to help you start 2026 on the right foot. 1. Check your automatic payments and […]
November 2025 update
Hey guys, Hope you have had a great month. We’re in that time of year now where things seem to go on fast-forward and all of a sudden we’re in the run-up to Christmas. Something we talked about recently at our WNOW Group on a Wednesday was making sure that you don’t just let the […]
Understanding what’s behind rising health insurance costs
Health insurance premiums have been increasing this year, a trend that’s made headlines and prompted questions from policyholders. While the numbers can sound confronting, the underlying reasons tell a more balanced story. Higher costs don’t just reflect inflation; they also show more people using their cover, accessing treatment sooner, and relying on private healthcare to […]
LVR rules are loosening: What does this mean for borrowers?
The Reserve Bank has recently announced changes to New Zealand’s loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions: the rules that limit how much low-deposit lending banks can do. These adjustments are intended to give lenders a little more flexibility, particularly for first-home buyers and others who’ve been working hard to save. But they don’t mean the lending floodgates […]
Turning pre-approval into property-buying power
When you’re in the market for a home, having a pre-approval can be a great advantage. It means you know how much you can borrow and gives you a sense of what properties to look at. While some people see pre-approval as just a box to tick, used strategically it can be a genuine advantage […]
Time horizon: matching your money to your goals
When it comes to investing, it’s not just what you invest in that matters, it’s also how long you plan to invest for. That length of time is called your investment time horizon, and it plays a big role in shaping the right approach. What it means Your time horizon is simply the period between […]
September 2025 update
Hey everyone, hope you’re doing well! We’re now into spring, which is brilliant. I’m definitely enjoying the slightly longer days compared to what we’ve had recently. Like I’m sure is the case for plenty of you, we had a challenging month on the home front with illness. Our daughter was home twice for a week […]
Mortgage repayments: weekly, fortnightly or monthly?
When setting up your mortgage, one of the key decisions is how often to make your repayments. The right choice can affect how quickly you pay off your loan, how much interest you could save, and how well your mortgage fits into your household budget. Here’s what to consider. Weekly repayments If you’re paid weekly, […]
Health insurance for kids: what to consider
In New Zealand, we’re fortunate to have a generally strong public health system. Emergency care is free and of a high standard. If your child needs urgent treatment, they’ll be looked after. Children under 14 are also entitled to free GP visits, free prescriptions, and funded routine vaccinations. But when it comes to non-urgent care […]