Keep The Change

The kitchen might still be tiny. The roof still leaks in winter. The location hasn’t changed. The utility and intended use (shelter and sleep) of many of these houses hasn’t even improved. To be fair, many have depreciated. What changed was the number on the bank’s spreadsheet and therefore…what that number could let you borrow. But now, it feels like we’re seeing the full effects. And it’s hitting the next generations HARD. One generation must pass the debt to the next to keep the whole thing going!

Today we sit down with Nathan Najib, Managing Director of Najib Real Estate in Christchurch, to explore a refreshing perspective on the New Zealand property market.We discuss:  •  Why Nathan refuses to “spruik” the property market.  •  The key variables behind house prices in NZ that the economists miss  •  Whether we really own our homes?  •  What the future of NZ may look like?While many real estate agents are keen to hype the market, Nathan takes a different approach focusing on transparency, people-first values, and long-term trust. How? Being realistic about house prices. From starting in real estate at just 19, to founding Najib Real Estate in 2016, Nathan has built a reputation for being honest, community-minded, and unafraid to challenge the industry status quo.Find Nathan Najib:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathannajib/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@najibrealestate929Website: https://www.najibrealestate.co.nz (https://www.najibrealestate.co.nz/)Amy from https://levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning.Stuck? Find Amy : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzI have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.

Let’s talk about one belief I keep seeing lately: The 'Have you seen the cost of living? The average Kiwi can't afford to save right now'. I get it. I really do. But you’ve got to be careful not to stay stuck there. Because saving or investing is a habit not a moment. And I’ve seen this thinking in both good and bad economic times. Why, in the tough economic times, will the debt dealers still happily give us money with interest-free finance or buy now, pay later?

I sit down with Amy Po-Ching of https://www.levridge.co.nz to find out what she is seeing out there and it is one word: uncertainty. Kiwi are stuck with what decision to make and what direction to go in. All of this in a time where we’ve never had more information. Perhaps that is part of the problem? Because realistically, Kiwi today can build more financial certainty than ever before. Drawing on her DIY Financial Plan framework, Amy shares steps she uses with clients to gain clarity on their current position, set bold yet realistic goals, and choose strategies that actually work in New Zealand’s economy. From balancing lifestyle with long-term security, you’ll hear why the path to financial freedom might be clearer than you think.As always, no part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only.Amy from Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzI have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to https://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.

I recently sat down with Willie Leota on the Fresh Moni podcast for a deep dive into New Zealand's economy, the recent budget, and what Kiwis can actually do about their financial situation.Checkout more podcasts from Willie on his channel Fresh Moni: https://www.youtube.com/@willieleotafreshmoni/I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.

New Zealanders pride themselves on the laid-back lifestyle but in life, being too cruisey can cost you. In a world that’s moving faster than ever, speed is a competitive advantage. Speed in decision-making. Speed in execution. Speed in learning.First, you have to know where you’re going and what you’re doing it for. While others are still “thinking about it,” you’ve already tested, iterated, and improved. Speed creates momentum. It brings clarity. It exposes what works and what doesn’t, faster.And for those who hate speed, being slow doesn’t always mean being thoughtful it often means being fearful, indecisive, or stuck in perfectionism. Kiwis need to shake off the “she’ll be right” mentality when it comes to life and growth.Move faster than you’re comfortable with. Then watch how quickly things start happening.Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.

I overheard an older gentleman talking about how great KiwiSaver is for younger people. He said: “My kids are going to have millions in there by the time they’re 65… I think.”. “I think” were the 2 words that stuck with me. Because I genuinely believe that most Kiwi don’t KNOW. So the first question is... Have you ever run your numbers to see what your KiwiSaver will be at 65?I did this recently via the Sorted website (took me less than 2mins) and actually thought I would have a lot more in there than it suggests I will. 

I Team up with Jake from Generate and John from Kauri Wealth for this essential retirement reality check that every Kiwi needs to watch.We break down the brutal truth about retirement costs in New Zealand and why most people are nowhere near prepared for what's coming.Key topics covered:The new Kiwi Saver changes: 3.5% contributions in 2025, 4% by 2028Why the $260 government contribution cut actually makes you better offRetirement costs: $99-$1,031 per week depending on lifestyle and locationWhy NZ Super probably won't exist when you retireGenerate members vs industry averages (the results will shock you)The value of getting proper Kiwi Saver adviceHow much you actually need by age 30, 40, 50, and 65Why using Kiwi Saver for your first home might be a mistakeI have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.

Meet Mahesh Muralidhar, the tech executive, investor, and the man on a mission to birth 10 billion-dollar Kiwi startups by 2026.Mahesh shares the lessons he learned scaling global giants like Canva and Airtasker, and why he returned home to lead the charge in New Zealand’s tech ecosystem through Phase One Ventures. We dive deep into:  •  What’s holding Kiwi tech back and how we can fix it  •  Why wealth-building isn’t a dirty word in New Zealand  •  How to think globally (even if you’re starting in a small market)  •  The mindset shift founders need to scale  •  Why young Kiwis should be bullish on tech and ownershipThis conversation is packed with gems for anyone who wants to grow their impact, income, or understanding of business in the modern economy. Whether you're a founder, investor, or someone just starting out this episode will expand your view on what’s possible in Aotearoa.Find Mahesh On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mahesh.akl/Find Phase One Ventures: https://www.phaseone.venturesGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.