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The Prosperity Project

The Prosperity Project

NZ Herald 65 Episodes Sep 6, 2026

The Prosperity Project is a weekly personal finance podcast from the NZ Herald. Host Nadine Higgins talks to experts from New Zealand and around the world about the biggest money issues to help listeners become more prosperous. New episodes are released every Monday.

Episodes

Who really pays for election promises?
Who really pays for election promises? Sep 6, 2026 2138 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, s
The home-buying red flags you can’t afford to ignore
The home-buying red flags you can’t afford to ignore Aug 30, 2026 1943 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 sel
How to know if your KiwiSaver is working for you
How to know if your KiwiSaver is working for you Aug 23, 2026 1794 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. Financial commentator Russell Hutchinson explains why you shouldn’t just chase last year’s to
What to do when you can’t pay your debts
What to do when you can’t pay your debts Aug 16, 2026 2034 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 bankruptcy. Plus, why buy now, pay later can fuel a debt spiral, when you should
The mistakes buyers make in front of real estate agents
The mistakes buyers make in front of real estate agents Aug 9, 2026 1991 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 a
What happens to your money in a retirement village?
What happens to your money in a retirement village? Aug 2, 2026 1802 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 re
When should you teach children about money?
When should you teach children about money? Jul 26, 2026 1773 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 Projec
What banks really check before approving your mortgage
What banks really check before approving your mortgage Jul 19, 2026 1892 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 d
Why mortgage rates don’t follow the OCR
Why mortgage rates don’t follow the OCR Jul 12, 2026 1964 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 haw
The right way to electrify your home
The right way to electrify your home Jul 5, 2026 1791 Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa says solar can now pay off faster than many households realise, but the biggest savings come from understanding how your home actually uses energy. From gas hot water to EVs, batteries and green loans, Mike and Nadine break down what to weigh up before going electric.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus Episode: What did investing look like 30 years ago?  
Bonus Episode: What did investing look like 30 years ago?   Jul 1, 2026 2170 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 jo
Think means testing NZ Super is too hard? Shamubeel Eaqub says"bugger off"
Think means testing NZ Super is too hard? Shamubeel Eaqub says"bugger off" Jun 28, 2026 1827 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 prop

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