The Adviser Talk

For more than 23 years, Stewart Group has partnered with Dimensional Fund Advisors to bring evidence-based investing to our clients.In this episode of The Adviser Talk, Rory sits down with Nathan to explore the Nobel Prize-winning minds behind Dimensional, the power of evidence-based investing and why innovation continues to drive better outcomes for investors today.(00:00:56) Welcome: Rory introduces Nathan Krieger(00:01:23) What evidence-based investing is and how it differs from active investing(00:04:02) How Nobel Prize-winning research shaped Dimensional's approach(00:08:32) Innovation, client needs and bringing investment ideas to life(00:12:53) Human behaviour, market noise and why investors struggle to stay disciplined(00:15:47) The opportunities and risks of modern trading platforms(00:17:40) The value of human advice in a digital world(00:18:09) If Dimensional started today, what would be different?Rory O'Neill is a Financial Adviser as well as the Director and General Manager at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions.

Turning 50 is not the finish line, it could be the most important financial planning milestone of all.In this episode, Nick shares why your 50s are the ideal time to take stock of your retirement plans, make course corrections where needed and ensure the next chapter of life is built on a strong foundation.The next few years can have a significant impact on your next 30. That's why having a plan matters more than ever.Enjoyed the discussion? Take a look at Nick's Canny View article, Turning Fifty: The Inflection Point.(00:02:02) What inspired Nick to write "Turning 50: The Inflection Point"(00:02:35) The earning arc: Why your 50s are often your peak earning years(00:02:42) Why your 50s are the peak years for building financial momentum(00:04:44) Simplifying your finances and avoiding a "collection of memories" portfolio(00:06:48) Why age 50 gives you time to make meaningful financial course corrections(00:07:06) Health, ageing, and how changing circumstances can impact retirement plans(00:09:07) The retirement trap: Taking your foot off the gas too soon(00:09:46) The "cookies in the jar" analogy for building retirement wealth(00:11:16) Family homes, downsizing and planning for the realities of later life(00:15:36) Lifestyle assets vs investment assets: Understanding the difference(00:20:34) Why having a financial plan and trusted adviser matters more than ever(00:22:47) Final message: Reflect, make adjustments and don't wait until it's too lateNick Stewart (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Ngāti Māmoe, Ngāti Waitaha) is a Financial Adviser and CEO at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance and KiwiSaver solutions.

For more than 20 years, Stewart Group and Dimensional Fund Advisors have shared a commitment to helping clients achieve better outcomes through evidence-based investing and long-term thinking.In this episode, Nick Stewart and Nathan Krieger reflect on the evolution of financial advice, innovation in investment management and why putting clients first remains at the heart of everything we do.(00:02:13) Nathan's journey to Dimensional and the power of evidence-based investing(00:05:34) Eating your own pie: testing investment ideas with family capital first(00:07:56) The origins of fiduciary advice and putting clients first(00:10:23) Why fiduciary advice and long-term thinking matter(00:11:34) The powerful impact financial advisers can have across generations(00:17:07) Dimensional's growth from a small regional office to a global business(00:19:08) Key investment innovations including Core, Sustainability and PIE strategies(00:20:54) Collaboration between advisers and investment managers to create better solutions(00:21:50) The future of investment innovation and continuous improvement(00:24:20) Continuous improvement and the "better than before" mindset(00:26:11) Portfolio engineering and helping clients achieve their goals(00:30:25) Final reflections and closing thoughtsNick Stewart (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Ngāti Māmoe, Ngāti Waitaha) is a Financial Adviser and CEO at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance and KiwiSaver solutions.

Is artificial intelligence really the next great technological revolution, or is it just another overhyped trend?In this episode Rory unpacks why GDP may not fully capture the value created by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. From the rapid adoption of AI to the lessons learned from previous technological breakthroughs he discusses how innovation changes businesses, creates new opportunities and influences long-term investment outcomes.For a deeper dive into the ideas discussed in this episode, read our Canny View article: The GDP Trap: Why Technology Sceptics Keep Getting It Wrong.(00:00:45) Intro: AI, technology and economic change(00:01:30) Why GDP is still the main measure of economic success(00:03:01) Comparing AI with the motor car and the internet(00:04:46) How technology turns science fiction into reality(00:05:38) Why AI is being adopted so quickly(00:06:23) AI as a workplace assistant, not just a tool(00:08:25) Why technology benefits take time to show in the data(00:09:28) How to tell real innovation from a tech fad(00:10:52) What AI means for investors and the role of financial adviceRory O'Neill is a Financial Adviser as well as the Director and General Manager at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions. 

What do hunting in the bush and long-term investing have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of The Adviser Talk, Tim Ewen and Bruce Jenks explore how preparation, patience, awareness, and good judgement often matter more than chasing the perfect opportunity. Through an unexpected analogy, they unpack why successful investors focus on the journey, stay true to their plans, and learn to navigate uncertainty with confidence.(00:00:48) Why the hunting and investing analogy is such a powerful lesson(00:02:09) Why meaningful financial planning starts with goals and values(00:03:25) Understanding your personal environment before making investment decisions(00:04:31) Why patience is one of the most important investing traits(00:05:22) Trusting a well-considered plan instead of reacting to uncertainty(00:06:25) Focusing on what you can control during challenging periods(00:06:43) Why investing is often a test of character rather than intelligence(00:07:26) Key takeaway: preparation, awareness, patience, and respect for risk lead to better outcomesThe Adviser Talk is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.Bruce Jenks is a Financial Adviser Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance and KiwiSaver solutions.

When markets wobble, should investors take action or stay the course?In this episode, Tim and Rory unpack the difference between market signal and market noise. From breaking news and social media panic to global events like the GFC, Covid and market crashes, they explain why emotional reactions can derail long term financial success and what investors should focus on instead. (00:00:26) Intro: Separating market facts from market noise(00:01:24) Understanding the difference between signal and noise(00:02:11) Why investor emotions can lead to poor decisions(00:03:11) The risks of reacting to headlines and market volatility(00:05:01) When to review your KiwiSaver and investment settings(00:06:33) Why market downturns can benefit long term KiwiSaver investors(00:07:55) The challenge of sticking to a financial plan during uncertainty(00:09:01) Key takeaway: ignore the noise and focus on long term goalsRory O'Neill is a Financial Adviser as well as the Director and General Manager at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions.