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 on what investors should be watching in the year ahead.

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This material has been created with the co-operation of BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited (BIMAL) ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 on 13/01/2026. Comments made by BIMAL employees here represent BIMAL’s views only. This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL’s Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdiction.

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 key changes to ASB portfolios and share practical tips for investors heading into the new year.

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This material has been created with the co-operation of BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited (BIMAL) ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 on 03/12/2025. Comments made by BIMAL employees here represent BIMAL’s views only. This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL’s Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdiction.

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 investor’s mindset matters and share practical tips to help you get started and stay on track.

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 how to balance lending and savings strategies as market conditions evolve.

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-making - from global headline events to local influences like the price of milk - and why more people are looking beyond property to investment options such as shares, managed funds, and KiwiSaver.

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 pitfalls to watch out for.

Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Kirk Hope (CEO, Financial Services Council) to unpack what the latest FSC Money & You report reveals about Gen Z’s behaviour and attitudes towards money and debt. They discuss why financial confidence is slipping, how cost-of-living pressures are shaping decisions, and take a closer look at the support landscape for young New Zealanders.

Interest rates have dropped significantly, so many New Zealanders are reconsidering their savings strategies. Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) and Ngaire Angus (Head of Wealth Advisory, ASB) discuss what a slowing economy and lower rates mean for savers with maturing term deposits. They offer practical guidance on aligning your savings and investment decisions with both short and long-term goals, helping you chart your next steps with confidence.

Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Frank Jasper (Chief Investment Officer, ASB) and Will Porter (Investment Strategist, BlackRock) to discuss this year’s strategic asset allocation updates for ASB portfolios. They unpack the five-year market outlook, explain the strategic asset allocation process, and share the key changes we’ve made to help your investments stay resilient and ready to capture opportunities in a changing environment.

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This material has been created with the co-operation of BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited (BIMAL) ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 on 17/10/2025. Comments made by BIMAL employees here represent BIMAL’s views only. This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL’s Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdiction.

Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by friend of the podcast Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) to unpack the Reserve Bank’s latest OCR decision. Together, they break down how changes to the OCR influence mortgage and term deposit rates, why rates don’t always move in step, and what it all means for your financial strategy in today’s changing rate environment.