The Prosperity Project

Could a $5,000 investment at birth help set every New Zealander up for retirement?

Nadine Higgins speaks to Fraser Whineray about his KiwiSaver 2.0 proposal, including automatic enrolment at birth, compulsory employer contributions that rise gradually over time, and bringing the self-employed into the system.

They also discuss the trade-offs around first-home withdrawals, who ultimately pays for higher contributions, and why Whiner...

Think you know where your money goes? Small, everyday purchases can add up to a very different picture — and cancelling a subscription might only be the start.

Nadine Higgins is joined by James Blair, Wealth Director at Lighthouse Financial, to explain how to give your finances a spring clean. They discuss setting realistic goals, identifying spending that doesn’t match your priorities, and using automatic payments to k...

Can likes and followers turn into a full-time income?

On The Prosperity Project, Nadine talks to talent manager Molly about the business behind social media influencing, from brand deals worth thousands to valuable freebies and the work that goes into every post.

They explore how creators earn money, why going viral doesn’t guarantee a lasting career, and what happens when the algorithm changes or the offers dry up.

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If the house is in your name, is it yours? If you keep separate accounts, are your finances really separate? And what happens when an inheritance goes towards the mortgage?

On The Prosperity Project, lawyer and founder of Succession NZ Holly Egerton unpacks common misconceptions about relationship property in New Zealand, including homes, businesses, trusts and debt.

Drawing on a decade in the field and her own lengthy separation, ...

Buying an established business can give you customers, systems and revenue from day one. But how do you know whether the asking price reflects what you’ll actually earn?

On The Prosperity Project, Nadine talks to The Comic Accountant Sam Harith about the checks to make before buying a business. They discuss financial statements, debt, cash flow, the difference between buying assets and shares, and the risks of taking over a f...

What if, instead of trying to stick to a budget yourself, you handed over your pay and let someone else manage it?

Australian budgeting service MyBudget has launched in New Zealand, offering to receive clients’ income into a trust account, pay their bills, put money aside for future expenses and savings, and transfer back an agreed amount for everyday spending.

It’s an unusual model — and not a cheap one.

On The P...

If you suddenly became unable to make your own decisions, would your spouse or family automatically be able to step in?

Not necessarily.

An enduring power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your finances or make decisions about your personal care and welfare if you can’t. Without one, your family could face an expensive and stressful court process at an already difficult time.

In this episode of The Prosperity Pro...

No new taxes. Free GP visits. Cheaper public transport. Solar subsidies. KiwiSaver changes.

The election promises are coming thick and fast — but what will they actually mean for your finances?

On The Prosperity Project, Katie Bradford joins Nadine Higgins to unpack how the major parties’ policies could affect your wallet, from tax and rates to KiwiSaver, student loans, solar panels, small businesses and the cost of fun...

Buying a home used to mean checking the LIM, getting a builder’s report and sorting the mortgage. But natural hazards, insurance restrictions and increasingly complex property issues mean buyers now have much more to consider.

Solicitor and Landley Law director Sue Foley joins Nadine Higgins to explain the red flags buyers should look for, why insurance needs to be considered early, what sellers are required to disclose and w...

How often should you review your KiwiSaver — and what should you actually be looking at?

In this episode of The Prosperity Project, we talk through what matters when reviewing your KiwiSaver, from your retirement goals and contribution levels to fees, fund types and provider performance.

What happens when you simply can’t afford to pay your debts?

FinCap financial mentor Charlotte Whitakker joins The Prosperity Project to explain the options available when debt becomes overwhelming — from negotiating with lenders and hardship applications to KiwiSaver withdrawals, debt repayment orders and ban...

Buying or selling a house is a complicated and often confusing process that real estate agents are smack in the middle of, and stand to benefit from. 

So what should we share when dealing with an agent, and what should we keep close to our chest?

Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent Ryan Harding joins Nadine Higgins to explain what you need to consider as a vendor or a buyer, the things agents are obligated to disclose, wh...

Moving into a retirement village can offer community, convenience and freedom from maintaining a family home — but the financial arrangement is very different from buying property.

Anthony Harper law firm partner Jenny Baldwin explains occupation right agreements, ongoing fees, capital gains, deferred management fees, exit delays and the potential cost of moving into aged care. Plus, what residents and their families should c...

Are you raising a child who thinks money just appears?

From pocket money and piggy banks to KiwiSaver, first jobs and the temptation to bail them out, the lessons start much earlier than many parents realise. So, should chores earn cash? When should children start investing? And when is it better to let them make a mistake?

Hayden Mulholland from Become Wealth joins Nadine on The Prosperity Project to explain how to raise kids who ...

Buying your first home can feel impossible, but you may be closer than you think.

Mortgage adviser Michelle Isemonger joins Nadine Higgins to explain how to prepare before applying for finance, what banks are looking for and whether you really need a 20% deposit.

They also cover pre-approval, KiwiSaver, auctions, insurance, buying with friends, credit card limits and the common mistakes that can derail a mortgage application.

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The OCR has risen, but does that automatically mean your mortgage rate will rise with it?

Economist and commentator Bernard Hickey explains what really drives fixed mortgage rates, why New Zealand’s banks remain exceptionally profitable, and whether the Reserve Bank has moved too soon while the economy remains weak.

He also decodes the jargon surrounding monetary policy — including hawks, doves, neutral rates, LVRs and ...

Think back to 1996.

Dial-up internet, bulky desktop computers and no KiwiSaver.

Investing looked very different. And most New Zealanders had never even heard of Exchange Traded Funds.

In this special episode of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins sits down with PJ Harding to explore 30 years of investing in New Zealand, how access has changed, and how kiwis can get started on their investing journey to build wealth for the futur...

The government currently spends about a billion dollars a fortnight on superannuation payments, it's a growing problem that we're running out of time to address. So who shouldn’t be counting on getting the pension in future?

Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity chief economist and head of policy, joins Nadine Higgins with some hot takes about the future of NZ's pension scheme and his thoughts on proposed changes to KiwiSaver.

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