New Zealand's Financial Market's Authority Podcasts

Join Jess, a 28-year-old newbie in the world of investing, as she navigates the ups and downs of becoming an investor. Just like you, she's learning the ropes. Each month, Jess teams up with a different expert who shares practical insights and tips to help demystify investing.

At the FMA, we believe in empowering New Zealanders with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. The Jess Learns to Invest podcast is part of our commitment to making financial capability accessible, relatable, and useful for everyday Kiwis.

In this episode, Jess sits down with Kim Martin from the Treasury to explore the world of bonds. What are they? How do they work? And why might they be a smart addition to your investment strategy?

Whether you're just starting out or looking to diversify your portfolio, this episode is packed with practical tips and relatable examples to help you feel more confident about your financial future.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with the FMA, host Chris Daniels is joined by Regulatory Services Advisor Elizabeth Asmerom Esfahan to unpack the latest trends in investment scams targeting New Zealanders.

Elizabeth sheds light on the evolving tactics scammers are using from fake comparison websites to impersonation via text and messaging apps. They discuss AI, where deepfake videos and automated scam networks are making fraud more convincing than ever.

Learn why scams are no longer small-time operations but large-scale international businesses and how the financial industry and individuals alike can push back. From protecting your company’s online presence to doing personal due diligence before investing, this episode is packed with insights on staying safe in a shifting digital landscape.

We’ve released our 2025 Financial Conduct Report.

This report outlines the key risks and opportunities the FMA will focus on over the next 12 months. It reflects our outcomes-focused approach and provides clarity for industry on our regulatory priorities.

We encourage Boards, Executives and Leaders within financial services to consider how these insights can support better outcomes for consumers and markets.

Are you ready to take your first step into property investing? In this episode Jess talks to Vanessa Williams from Realestate.co.nz, diving deep into the do's and don'ts of real estate and property investing. Vanessa talks about navigating New Zealand’s housing market, spotting investment opportunities and maximising your returns. 

Property investing is the process of purchasing real estate with the goal of generating income, profit, or long-term financial growth. Investors buy properties to rent out, renovate for resale, or hold for future value appreciation.

New research published by the FMA's economics team this week shows that while many New Zealanders feel confident in their financial decisions, there are significant gaps between their financial goals and actual holdings of investment products.    

Good Cents: Kiwis on Savings and Debt looks into New Zealanders' attitudes and behaviours towards savings, debt reduction, and financial guidance. 

FMA Head of Economics and Research Gael Price speaks about the research, which found there is room for financial providers to help New Zealanders better align investment choices with financial goals, help them better understand debt management, and increase their comfort with seeking financial information.

Market volatility is about how much and how quickly prices in the market change. When prices move a lot, there's a chance to make money, but there's also more risk. Remember, market volatility is normal. In this episode, you'll learn what market volatility is, how it can affect your investments, and what it means for your KiwiSaver.

This episode features Brad Olsen, the Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics.

Join Jess, a 27-year-old newcomer to the investing world, as she navigates the highs and lows of becoming an investor. Like many of you, she's learning the ropes. Each month, Jess collaborates with a different expert who shares invaluable insights and tips about investing.

At the FMA, we believe in empowering New Zealanders with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.

In this edition of 5 mins with the FMA Head of Financial Advice Romil Ghelani speaks to Heidi Norman about the Financial Advice Review. Regulatory Returns data signals a healthy financial sector. This is the first time the FMA has collected a comprehensive snapshot of the financial advice sector since the new Financial Advice regime came into effect in March 2023.
  
This data is derived from the 2024 Financial Advice Provider regulatory returns and provides valuable insights into what types of products are being advised on as well as the way customers are receiving that advice. The FMA will use this data to help shape the way we supervise and engage with the sector going forward. 

Additional information can be found here: https://statics.teams.cdn.office.net/evergreen-assets/safelinks/1/atp-safelinks.html

A managed fund is a type of investment where your money is pooled together into a larger investment fund with other investors. A fund manager with expertise in investing then manages that money and decides what assets to buy and sell on your behalf. Learn this and more as Jess learns how to get started in a managed fund. 

This episode features Sorted.org.nz’s Personal Finance Lead, Tom Hartmann.

Join Jess, a 27-year-old newbie in the world of investing, as she navigates the ups and downs of becoming an investor. Just like you, she's learning the ropes. Each month, Jess will team up with a different expert who will share invaluable insights and tips about investing.  

At the FMA, we believe in empowering New Zealanders with the knowledge to make Informed financial decisions.

In this special episode of our 5 mins with the FMA podcast, we take a look at outcomes- focused regulation with Liam Mason, FMA Executive Director of Evaluation and Oversight and General Counsel. 

Today we’re releasing a document that provides you with an update on our approach to Outcomes-Focused Regulation. An outcomes-focused approach means we focus on the end results that regulation is aiming to achieve for New Zealand businesses, investors, consumers and financial markets. Focusing on these things ensures our regulatory efforts are proportionate and impactful, rather than getting bogged down by minor compliance matters.

While this has already been our approach to some sectors over the past year, in 2025 we will step up this approach in a way where you should see a tangible difference.

To get the best outcomes for our markets and New Zealanders the FMA will work collaboratively with industry. We’re committed to ongoing engagement with firms and industry groups to support good practices and reduce the risk of poor outcomes for New Zealanders.