The SME Stream

Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage adviser Adam Clark, too many Kiwis are focusing on the wrong things.

In this episode of The Prosperity Project, Adam joins Nadine Higgins to unpack the psychology of mortgages, why obsessing over tiny rate differences can backfire, and the financial habits that quietly cost borrowers hundreds of thousands over the life of a loan.

They also dive into refinancing, cashback offers, fixing strategies, mortgage structures, EV lending and the dangerous temptation of “cheap debt”.

Plus:

• Why banks hike rates before the Reserve Bank moves
• The truth about cashback “free money”
• Why fixing for the shortest term isn’t always smartest

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio to discuss two major policy changes announced last week - abolishing fees free study, and raising the age of superannuation. 

Luxon said that although the changes may not be 'politically popular' they are important, and other party's aren't brave enough to agree. 

"I think they're being quite dishonest in terms of not facing up to the challenge that we've got and I think just chucking it down the road to the kids and grandkids isn't the right way," he said. 

"So, I get it's not politically popular, but actually we should have a bigger conversation and a debate about it."

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to start lifting the pension age if National get back into government after the coming election.

Bipartisan support will most likely be needed to make this happen as parties, like NZ First, are staunchly against the reform.

"Please do not attack grandmother and grandmother's savings to try and disguise for a brief time your economic incompetence," Winston Peters said to Heather du Plessis-Allan

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Independent Economist and Property Commentator Tony Alexander regularly surveys real estate agents. 

His latest survey found that 44% feel prices are falling in the area, 51% see fewer people that open homes, and 50% are seeing fewer investors.

Alexander contributes this to a number of reasons including global conflict and job instability, but first-home buyers are remaining strong. 

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Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

The Government has confirmed it plans to investigate the City Rail Link project, after reports revealed it could have cost $2 billion less. Do we think this review is needed?

Is it time to lift the Super age from 65? Another economist has warned we can't keep kicking the can down the road. What do we think? 

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As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice. 

This week, the unexpected surprise in the unemployment rate, the overseas agreement hoping to stabilise our fuel stocks, plus the oil crisis hammers the retail industry and our smaller businesses.

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The Finance Minister says the Government's going to have to do something about Superannuation.  

An OECD report warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060. 

Minister Nicola Willis says the cost for superannuation is going up billions of dollars, while there are fewer workers for every pensioner.  

She told Mike Hosking the cost is also rising as a proportion of taxes.  

Willis says it will soon account for 20%, and every dollar spent isn't available for education, health, and infrastructure. 

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The cost of computer components has shot up, and there's concerns about what it could mean for the tech sector.

The shortage of memory chips has prompted tech investors to worry about what this could mean for the market.

Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explained further.

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New Zealand's treading water, with a warning our increasingly overloaded pension system isn't sustainable.

The latest OECD snapshot of our economy suggests unless we adjust systems, including the costs of health, long-term care and pension will increase by about five percent of GDP by 2060.

It says it could be countered by changes including upping Superannuation contributions. 

Economist Cameron Bagrie says we can't keep kicking the can down the road - and that we need to address entitlements, through lifting the retirement age or means testing. 

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The rise in AI has seen demand for professionally written CVs in a bid to stand out against algorithms.

Experts say while AI can be useful to screen hundreds of applicants faster, it's created a transparency gap between employers and jobseekers.

CVs by Sarah director Sarah Wrightson says the screening software rules out applicants before a human gets a chance to look at their CVs, and it results in qualified applicants getting filtered out.

"I've had clients come to me saying that they've applied for 80 jobs and heard nothing back - and often, they've actually got really solid experience. The software's looking for alignment and clarity, humans read context, the software doesn't." 

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