ASB Investment Podcast

Host Nigel Grant is joined by ASB Senior Economist Kim Mundy to unpack the latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey. They explore how the Middle East conflict has rapidly shifted interest rate expectations, cooled house price optimism, and put a lid on a recovery that was starting to gain momentum with Auckland feeling the sharpest impact. Plus, Kim shares why despite the uncertainty, there's a silver lining for one group of K...

Host Nigel Grant is joined by ASB Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown to unpack the latest ASB Investor Confidence Survey for the March 2026 quarter. 

They explore why global headlines from the ongoing Middle East conflict to shifting interest rate expectations are rattling investor sentiment, even as share markets push higher. 

Plus, Chris shares why the gap between how investors feel and what markets are actually doing is...

In this solo episode, Nigel Grant answers some of the most common investment questions, using storytelling to unpack market volatility, interest rates, timing decisions, and more. 

Along the way, we explore:

·       Why markets react so strongly to headlines (and what Chicken Little can teach us)

·       The real risk of “waiting it out” vs staying invested.

·       What’s actually going on with interest rates and why you can’...

Retirement isn’t a finish line – it’s a whole new phase of life, and it comes with a price tag many people don’t fully anticipate. In this episode host Nigel Grant is joined by Professor Claire Matthews from Massey University to break down the true cost of retirement in New Zealand. From the impact of inflation and longer life expectancy to the role of housing, superannuation and personal spending choices, Professor Matthe...

So far, 2026 has delivered a year’s worth of market action in just a few weeks. In this episode, host Nigel Grant and ASB Chief Investment Officer Frank Jasper cut through the noise to explore what's really driving markets beneath the surface. From AI and commodities to geopolitics, Bitcoin and the New Zealand market, they unpack where the real winners and losers are emerging and why diversification, discipline and looking...

A once‑in‑a‑generation payout is reshaping the future of Kiwi farming. Host Nigel Grant sits down with ASB General Manager Rural (and Northland farmer) Aidan Gent, to unpack what Fonterra’s multi‑billion‑dollar capital return means for farmers, their businesses, and the next generation – from strengthening balance sheets to unlocking opportunities for investment, diversification, and long‑term resilience. Aidan shares insi...

Host Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) sits down with Chris Tennent‑Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) and David Griffith (Client Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi Asset Solutions, BlackRock) to unpack the risks and opportunities shaping 2026. They explore the mega forces influencing global and local investment decisions - from AI and climate transition to demographic shifts - and share their top predictions o...

2025 has been a year of global shocks, shifting monetary policy, and cautious investor sentiment. In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) and David Griffith (Client Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi Asset Solutions, BlackRock) to reflect on the global and local themes that influenced markets and the New Zealand economy. They also discuss ...

Get expert answers to the investment questions on Kiwi minds, with insights from the ASB and BlackRock Investor’s Advantage roadshow. In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Amehl Smith (Head of Private Banking, ASB) and Ngaire Angus (Head of Wealth Distribution, ASB) to break down the big themes - from AI and market shifts to term deposit rates and the property market. They discuss why an ...

What does the Reserve Bank’s Official Cash Rate (OCR) mean for your mortgage, savings, and investment decisions? Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) and Manu Batra (Head of Home Lending Products, ASB) to unpack the latest OCR decision and what it means for Kiwi borrowers and savers. They break down why mortgage rates don’t always move in step with the OCR, and...

Investor confidence is picking up from last quarter’s post-Covid lows, but sentiment remains split. In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) and Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) dig into the latest ASB Investor Confidence Survey results for Q3 2025 to explore what’s making some regions and groups more optimistic than others. They discuss the factors driving investor confidence and decision-mak...

When interest rates ease, what’s the smartest way to put your extra cash to work - pay down the mortgage, invest, or a mix of both? In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) and Ngaire Angus (Head of Wealth Distribution, ASB) unpack the trade-offs between reducing debt and growing your investments. They share practical insights on finding the right balance for your financial goals and highlight common pit...