Latest news with #GenerateKiwiSaver
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Winners At The Mindful Money Annual Ethical & Impact Investment Awards 2025
Press Release – Mindful Money Ethical and Impact Investment Awards celebrate outstanding investors and individuals who have shown strong commitment and expertise in advancing sustainability and impact. Mindful Money is announcing the winners of the fifth annual Ethical and Impact Investment Awards 2025. These awards celebrate outstanding investors and individuals who have shown strong commitment and expertise in advancing sustainability and impact. These awards have become the standard for excellence in ethical and impact investing. Mindful Money's Founder and Co-CEO, Barry Coates commented: ' These awards celebrate excellence and a strong commitment to ethical and impact investing. The challenges of our time require re-orienting the flow of capital away from harm towards environmental regeneration, social equity and climate action. Our annual survey of the public shows that consumers are on board. These awards highlight those in the investment community that are leading the transition.' Best Ethical KiwiSaver Provider (sponsored by Public Trust) KiwiSaver funds have now grown to over $120 billion. The judges in this category focused on the criteria of avoiding harm, engaging to influence companies, investing for positive outcomes and walking the talk in terms of ethical practices. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Generate KiwiSaver Best New Ethical or Impact Fund This category is for the fund launched over the past year that best embodies good ethical or impact practices. The judges were looking for innovation, delivering social and environmental benefits and providing New Zealand investors with new types of investment options. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund Best Net Zero and Climate Action Investor (sponsored by Morningstar Sustainalytics) This category covers both the mainstream investment that drives financed emissions towards net zero and dedicated funds investing in climate solutions. This year, the judges focused on funds that are innovating and mobilising capital to reduce and avoid emissions. Winner: Motion Capital Highly Commended: Climate Venture Capital Fund series Best Ethical Overseas Fund This category is open to the overseas funds that are actively marketed in New Zealand, generally available to investors through financial advisers and institutional investors. These funds add scale and diversity to investors, demonstrating high standards of sustainable investing. Winner: Australian Ethical Australian Shares Fund Highly Commended: Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund Best Ethical Financial Adviser Financial advisers have an important role in providing informed, independent and appropriate advice on ethical and impact investment. They provide New Zealand investors with financial advice that reflects their values and financial aspirations, and those of their family. Joint winner: Carey Church, Moneyworks Joint winner: Dr. Rodger Spiller, Money Matters Highly Commended: Mark Holtom, Ethical Investing NZ Best Media Reporting on Ethical Investment This category is for the best journalism about ethical or impact investment. The judges were looking for high standards of journalism, attuned to the interests of their audiences. The judges were looking for evidence of engagement, education and influence. Winner: Steven Moe, Seeds Podcast Joint Highly Commended: Susan Edmunds, RNZ Joint Highly Commended: Joanna Mathers, Informed Media Best Impact Investor This category is for investment funds that contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes. The judges were looking for fund providers that demonstrate a strong impact purpose, a rigorous framework for measurement, examples of high impact investments and contributions by the investor to positive outcomes. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Soul Capital Best Ethical Investor This category includes over $80 billion of funds under management in 548 retail managed funds, as well as private capital, venture capital and asset owner investments. Amongst a wide range of different funds, the judges were looking for providers that demonstrate high ethical standards and outcomes. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Harbour Asset Management David Callanan, Public Trust Corporate Trustee Services GM, says he's proud the organisation is returning as principal sponsor of the main awards for the second year in a row, plus sponsor of the Ethical KiwiSaver Provider award. As the supervisor for 13 KiwiSaver schemes, Public Trust plays a significant role in investment fund oversight. Callanan says: 'The real value in the Mindful Money Awards is in informing investors – because as we all know, information is power. The Awards celebrate courage, leadership, and the kind of action that turns information into impact. The Mindful Money Awards do a fantastic job for raising awareness about the importance of ethical investing and celebrating excellence in the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who continue to raise the bar every year.' Jono Broome, Morningstar Sustainalytics commented that ' The Aotearoa sustainable fund market has continued to stand out from other markets around the world with its astonishing resilience and consistency. Net positive inflows recorded in every quarter of the past three years, including an impressive 2024. Morningstar Sustainalytics is pleased to support Mindful Money in the annual fund awards to acknowledge the best of the New Zealand's ethical funds in 2025.' Kate Vennell, co-CEO of Mindful Money concluded: 'Well done to our winners, you are helping more Kiwis to invest to create a better world alongside good financial outcomes. Once again the standard of entries was high. We're delighted that judges selected joint winners in some categories. Those who weren't successful should be encouraged by the feedback – all entries had elements of best practice so please try again next year '. Notes: Prior to the awards ceremony, Mindful Money hosted a conference focused on the pathways and innovative approaches needed to direct investment toward solutions that address climate and biodiversity challenges. The conference took place on Thursday 5th June at the Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD. the line-up included: Keynote Speaker: Rob Campbell, one of New Zealand's most respected professional directors with over 40 years' experience across capital markets and business leadership. Panel Discussions: The conference will feature two insightful panel discussions: 'Climate Transition: Taking Investment Action on Climate Change': Financing is a barrier to progress on decarbonisation and renewable energy. The panel discussed ways to accelerate the climate transition by scaling up finance flows and reducing finance costs. 'Nature Transition: Shifting Investment From Harming Nature to Regeneration': There is growing interest in nature amongst the investment sector. Action by investors is crucial to halt the loss of habitats and species and to build regeneration on a wider scale. The panel discussed how natural capital can be recognised and supported as a pathway towards healthy, productive and resilient nature. Facilitated roundtables with the audience identified key initiatives to move forward on the climate transition and nature restoration. Sponsors: Sponsors for the conference were: lead sponsor Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsors Stewart Investors and New Zealand Super Fund; sponsorship contributions from Betashares, Craigs Investment Partners, Generate KiwiSaver and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation. Mindful Money has secured generous support for the awards ceremony from: lead sponsors Public Trust and Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsor Stewart Investors; sponsorship contributions from Generate KiwiSaver, Craigs Investment Partners, and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Winners At The Mindful Money Annual Ethical & Impact Investment Awards 2025
Press Release – Mindful Money Ethical and Impact Investment Awards celebrate outstanding investors and individuals who have shown strong commitment and expertise in advancing sustainability and impact. Mindful Money is announcing the winners of the fifth annual Ethical and Impact Investment Awards 2025. These awards celebrate outstanding investors and individuals who have shown strong commitment and expertise in advancing sustainability and impact. These awards have become the standard for excellence in ethical and impact investing. Mindful Money's Founder and Co-CEO, Barry Coates commented: ' These awards celebrate excellence and a strong commitment to ethical and impact investing. The challenges of our time require re-orienting the flow of capital away from harm towards environmental regeneration, social equity and climate action. Our annual survey of the public shows that consumers are on board. These awards highlight those in the investment community that are leading the transition.' Best Ethical KiwiSaver Provider (sponsored by Public Trust) KiwiSaver funds have now grown to over $120 billion. The judges in this category focused on the criteria of avoiding harm, engaging to influence companies, investing for positive outcomes and walking the talk in terms of ethical practices. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Generate KiwiSaver Best New Ethical or Impact Fund This category is for the fund launched over the past year that best embodies good ethical or impact practices. The judges were looking for innovation, delivering social and environmental benefits and providing New Zealand investors with new types of investment options. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund Best Net Zero and Climate Action Investor (sponsored by Morningstar Sustainalytics) This category covers both the mainstream investment that drives financed emissions towards net zero and dedicated funds investing in climate solutions. This year, the judges focused on funds that are innovating and mobilising capital to reduce and avoid emissions. Winner: Motion Capital Highly Commended: Climate Venture Capital Fund series Best Ethical Overseas Fund This category is open to the overseas funds that are actively marketed in New Zealand, generally available to investors through financial advisers and institutional investors. These funds add scale and diversity to investors, demonstrating high standards of sustainable investing. Winner: Australian Ethical Australian Shares Fund Highly Commended: Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund Best Ethical Financial Adviser Financial advisers have an important role in providing informed, independent and appropriate advice on ethical and impact investment. They provide New Zealand investors with financial advice that reflects their values and financial aspirations, and those of their family. Joint winner: Carey Church, Moneyworks Joint winner: Dr. Rodger Spiller, Money Matters Highly Commended: Mark Holtom, Ethical Investing NZ Best Media Reporting on Ethical Investment This category is for the best journalism about ethical or impact investment. The judges were looking for high standards of journalism, attuned to the interests of their audiences. The judges were looking for evidence of engagement, education and influence. Winner: Steven Moe, Seeds Podcast Joint Highly Commended: Susan Edmunds, RNZ Joint Highly Commended: Joanna Mathers, Informed Media Best Impact Investor This category is for investment funds that contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes. The judges were looking for fund providers that demonstrate a strong impact purpose, a rigorous framework for measurement, examples of high impact investments and contributions by the investor to positive outcomes. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Soul Capital Best Ethical Investor This category includes over $80 billion of funds under management in 548 retail managed funds, as well as private capital, venture capital and asset owner investments. Amongst a wide range of different funds, the judges were looking for providers that demonstrate high ethical standards and outcomes. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Harbour Asset Management David Callanan, Public Trust Corporate Trustee Services GM, says he's proud the organisation is returning as principal sponsor of the main awards for the second year in a row, plus sponsor of the Ethical KiwiSaver Provider award. As the supervisor for 13 KiwiSaver schemes, Public Trust plays a significant role in investment fund oversight. Callanan says: 'The real value in the Mindful Money Awards is in informing investors – because as we all know, information is power. The Awards celebrate courage, leadership, and the kind of action that turns information into impact. The Mindful Money Awards do a fantastic job for raising awareness about the importance of ethical investing and celebrating excellence in the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who continue to raise the bar every year.' Jono Broome, Morningstar Sustainalytics commented that ' The Aotearoa sustainable fund market has continued to stand out from other markets around the world with its astonishing resilience and consistency. Net positive inflows recorded in every quarter of the past three years, including an impressive 2024. Morningstar Sustainalytics is pleased to support Mindful Money in the annual fund awards to acknowledge the best of the New Zealand's ethical funds in 2025.' Kate Vennell, co-CEO of Mindful Money concluded: 'Well done to our winners, you are helping more Kiwis to invest to create a better world alongside good financial outcomes. Once again the standard of entries was high. We're delighted that judges selected joint winners in some categories. Those who weren't successful should be encouraged by the feedback – all entries had elements of best practice so please try again next year '. Notes: Prior to the awards ceremony, Mindful Money hosted a conference focused on the pathways and innovative approaches needed to direct investment toward solutions that address climate and biodiversity challenges. The conference took place on Thursday 5th June at the Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD. the line-up included: Keynote Speaker: Rob Campbell, one of New Zealand's most respected professional directors with over 40 years' experience across capital markets and business leadership. Panel Discussions: The conference will feature two insightful panel discussions: 'Climate Transition: Taking Investment Action on Climate Change': Financing is a barrier to progress on decarbonisation and renewable energy. The panel discussed ways to accelerate the climate transition by scaling up finance flows and reducing finance costs. 'Nature Transition: Shifting Investment From Harming Nature to Regeneration': There is growing interest in nature amongst the investment sector. Action by investors is crucial to halt the loss of habitats and species and to build regeneration on a wider scale. The panel discussed how natural capital can be recognised and supported as a pathway towards healthy, productive and resilient nature. Facilitated roundtables with the audience identified key initiatives to move forward on the climate transition and nature restoration. Sponsors: Sponsors for the conference were: lead sponsor Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsors Stewart Investors and New Zealand Super Fund; sponsorship contributions from Betashares, Craigs Investment Partners, Generate KiwiSaver and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation. Mindful Money has secured generous support for the awards ceremony from: lead sponsors Public Trust and Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsor Stewart Investors; sponsorship contributions from Generate KiwiSaver, Craigs Investment Partners, and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Winners At The Mindful Money Annual Ethical & Impact Investment Awards 2025
Press Release – Mindful Money Mindful Money is announcing the winners of the fifth annual Ethical and Impact Investment Awards 2025. These awards celebrate outstanding investors and individuals who have shown strong commitment and expertise in advancing sustainability and impact. These awards have become the standard for excellence in ethical and impact investing. Mindful Money's Founder and Co-CEO, Barry Coates commented: ' These awards celebrate excellence and a strong commitment to ethical and impact investing. The challenges of our time require re-orienting the flow of capital away from harm towards environmental regeneration, social equity and climate action. Our annual survey of the public shows that consumers are on board. These awards highlight those in the investment community that are leading the transition.' Best Ethical KiwiSaver Provider (sponsored by Public Trust) KiwiSaver funds have now grown to over $120 billion. The judges in this category focused on the criteria of avoiding harm, engaging to influence companies, investing for positive outcomes and walking the talk in terms of ethical practices. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Generate KiwiSaver Best New Ethical or Impact Fund This category is for the fund launched over the past year that best embodies good ethical or impact practices. The judges were looking for innovation, delivering social and environmental benefits and providing New Zealand investors with new types of investment options. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund Best Net Zero and Climate Action Investor (sponsored by Morningstar Sustainalytics) This category covers both the mainstream investment that drives financed emissions towards net zero and dedicated funds investing in climate solutions. This year, the judges focused on funds that are innovating and mobilising capital to reduce and avoid emissions. Winner: Motion Capital Highly Commended: Climate Venture Capital Fund series Best Ethical Overseas Fund This category is open to the overseas funds that are actively marketed in New Zealand, generally available to investors through financial advisers and institutional investors. These funds add scale and diversity to investors, demonstrating high standards of sustainable investing. Winner: Australian Ethical Australian Shares Fund Highly Commended: Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund Best Ethical Financial Adviser Financial advisers have an important role in providing informed, independent and appropriate advice on ethical and impact investment. They provide New Zealand investors with financial advice that reflects their values and financial aspirations, and those of their family. Joint winner: Carey Church, Moneyworks Joint winner: Dr. Rodger Spiller, Money Matters Highly Commended: Mark Holtom, Ethical Investing NZ Best Media Reporting on Ethical Investment This category is for the best journalism about ethical or impact investment. The judges were looking for high standards of journalism, attuned to the interests of their audiences. The judges were looking for evidence of engagement, education and influence. Winner: Steven Moe, Seeds Podcast Joint Highly Commended: Susan Edmunds, RNZ Joint Highly Commended: Joanna Mathers, Informed Media Best Impact Investor This category is for investment funds that contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes. The judges were looking for fund providers that demonstrate a strong impact purpose, a rigorous framework for measurement, examples of high impact investments and contributions by the investor to positive outcomes. Winner: Community Housing Funding Agency Highly Commended: Soul Capital Best Ethical Investor This category includes over $80 billion of funds under management in 548 retail managed funds, as well as private capital, venture capital and asset owner investments. Amongst a wide range of different funds, the judges were looking for providers that demonstrate high ethical standards and outcomes. Winner: Pathfinder Asset Management Highly Commended: Harbour Asset Management David Callanan, Public Trust Corporate Trustee Services GM, says he's proud the organisation is returning as principal sponsor of the main awards for the second year in a row, plus sponsor of the Ethical KiwiSaver Provider award. As the supervisor for 13 KiwiSaver schemes, Public Trust plays a significant role in investment fund oversight. Callanan says: 'The real value in the Mindful Money Awards is in informing investors – because as we all know, information is power. The Awards celebrate courage, leadership, and the kind of action that turns information into impact. The Mindful Money Awards do a fantastic job for raising awareness about the importance of ethical investing and celebrating excellence in the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who continue to raise the bar every year.' Jono Broome, Morningstar Sustainalytics commented that ' The Aotearoa sustainable fund market has continued to stand out from other markets around the world with its astonishing resilience and consistency. Net positive inflows recorded in every quarter of the past three years, including an impressive 2024. Morningstar Sustainalytics is pleased to support Mindful Money in the annual fund awards to acknowledge the best of the New Zealand's ethical funds in 2025.' Kate Vennell, co-CEO of Mindful Money concluded: 'Well done to our winners, you are helping more Kiwis to invest to create a better world alongside good financial outcomes. Once again the standard of entries was high. We're delighted that judges selected joint winners in some categories. Those who weren't successful should be encouraged by the feedback – all entries had elements of best practice so please try again next year '. Notes: Prior to the awards ceremony, Mindful Money hosted a conference focused on the pathways and innovative approaches needed to direct investment toward solutions that address climate and biodiversity challenges. The conference took place on Thursday 5th June at the Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD. the line-up included: Keynote Speaker: Rob Campbell, one of New Zealand's most respected professional directors with over 40 years' experience across capital markets and business leadership. Panel Discussions: The conference will feature two insightful panel discussions: 'Climate Transition: Taking Investment Action on Climate Change': Financing is a barrier to progress on decarbonisation and renewable energy. The panel discussed ways to accelerate the climate transition by scaling up finance flows and reducing finance costs. 'Nature Transition: Shifting Investment From Harming Nature to Regeneration': There is growing interest in nature amongst the investment sector. Action by investors is crucial to halt the loss of habitats and species and to build regeneration on a wider scale. The panel discussed how natural capital can be recognised and supported as a pathway towards healthy, productive and resilient nature. Facilitated roundtables with the audience identified key initiatives to move forward on the climate transition and nature restoration. Sponsors: Sponsors for the conference were: lead sponsor Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsors Stewart Investors and New Zealand Super Fund; sponsorship contributions from Betashares, Craigs Investment Partners, Generate KiwiSaver and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation. Mindful Money has secured generous support for the awards ceremony from: lead sponsors Public Trust and Morningstar Sustainalytics; silver sponsor Stewart Investors; sponsorship contributions from Generate KiwiSaver, Craigs Investment Partners, and Trust Investments Management; and community support from Foundation North and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Why The Government Contribution To KiwiSaver Is Still Worth It
Press Release – Generate KiwiSaver Whats a mere $260.72 worth anyway? It might not seem like much, but thanks to compounding returns over time, it can still add up to quite an impressive sum. Why $260.72 is still worth it From July 2025, the annual government contribution will be decreased to 25 cents for each dollar a member contributes – the maximum top-up will be $260.72. What's a mere $260.72 worth anyway? It might not seem like much, but thanks to compounding returns over time, it can still add up to quite an impressive sum. If you contributed enough to get the government contribution every year from age 30-65 and were in an aggressive fund, you could have approximately $137,873.38 by the time you withdrew at age 65 (ignoring tax and inflation). That's even if you only made the minimum $1,042.86 contribution each year and never made any additional contributions via wages or salary, nor got any employer contributions. To put the spotlight just on the amount the Government puts in (setting aside the $1,042.86 contribution you'd have to make to trigger it [1]), this figure could potentially triple over the 35-year lifespan of the KiwiSaver investment. The Government's $260.72 over 35 years is just over $9125.2, but it could be worth more than $27,575.10 at retirement thanks to returns at an assumed rate of 5.5%, which compound over time. Again, we've ignored tax and inflation, to keep it simple. Note: These assumptions use a 5.5% return rate, in line with government-prescribed assumptions for projecting returns on aggressive KiwiSaver funds, even though this is a relatively conservative estimate for many growth-oriented investments. For example, Generate's Focused Growth KiwiSaver Fund has delivered an annualised return of 9.25% since inception (as at 30 April 2025) — almost double the government's prescribed projection rate for aggressive funds. Smart savers don't miss out As these calculations show, the Government contribution to KiwiSaver is still of value, and KiwiSaver members will do well to try and achieve it every year they're eligible. However a report by financial advisory service National Capital estimates nearly a million people are missing out on it each year. [2] At Generate we're proud to say that more than 85 percent of our members received the Government contribution in 2024 – that was a bonus of almost $54 million ($53,945,801.84 to be exact.) That high ratio has been a consistent trend with our Generate members, and we attribute it to the power of advice. More than 90 per cent of our members have received a KiwiSaver advice session with us, we believe that keeps them informed and empowered to maximise their KiwiSaver investment. It also helps that they can see how they're tracking in our Generate app, which notifies them if there's a shortfall they need to make up by June 30. With markets in an era of volatility, KiwiSaver investment returns can be very unpredictable. Even though it's now reduced, a sure bet like the Government contribution is definitely still worthwhile. Background – key changes to the government contribution The Government contribution has always been a key benefit of KiwiSaver, ever since the scheme launched in July 2007. The latest Government budget, delivered on May 22, cut this bonus in half. From July 2025, the annual government contribution will be decreased to 25 cents for each dollar a member contributes – the maximum top-up will be $260.72. Previously, there was an annual top-up of $521.43, if you contributed $1,042.86 to your KiwiSaver account between 1 July of the previous year and 30 June of the current year (so long as you met the eligibility criteria [3]). This was 50 cents to every dollar. What's more, those who earn over $180,000 per year will now not receive the Government contribution at all. According to the IRD [4], as of 2024, 3.4% of wage and salary earners in New Zealand earned $180,000 or more, which is also when the top tax bracket kicks in. These changes are expected to save the Government up to $3 billion over the next four years. In positive news, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the Government would start paying the Government contribution to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Why The Government Contribution To KiwiSaver Is Still Worth It
Press Release – Generate KiwiSaver Whats a mere $260.72 worth anyway? It might not seem like much, but thanks to compounding returns over time, it can still add up to quite an impressive sum. Why $260.72 is still worth it From July 2025, the annual government contribution will be decreased to 25 cents for each dollar a member contributes – the maximum top-up will be $260.72. What's a mere $260.72 worth anyway? It might not seem like much, but thanks to compounding returns over time, it can still add up to quite an impressive sum. If you contributed enough to get the government contribution every year from age 30-65 and were in an aggressive fund, you could have approximately $137,873.38 by the time you withdrew at age 65 (ignoring tax and inflation). That's even if you only made the minimum $1,042.86 contribution each year and never made any additional contributions via wages or salary, nor got any employer contributions. To put the spotlight just on the amount the Government puts in (setting aside the $1,042.86 contribution you'd have to make to trigger it [1]), this figure could potentially triple over the 35-year lifespan of the KiwiSaver investment. The Government's $260.72 over 35 years is just over $9125.2, but it could be worth more than $27,575.10 at retirement thanks to returns at an assumed rate of 5.5%, which compound over time. Again, we've ignored tax and inflation, to keep it simple. Note: These assumptions use a 5.5% return rate, in line with government-prescribed assumptions for projecting returns on aggressive KiwiSaver funds, even though this is a relatively conservative estimate for many growth-oriented investments. For example, Generate's Focused Growth KiwiSaver Fund has delivered an annualised return of 9.25% since inception (as at 30 April 2025) — almost double the government's prescribed projection rate for aggressive funds. Smart savers don't miss out As these calculations show, the Government contribution to KiwiSaver is still of value, and KiwiSaver members will do well to try and achieve it every year they're eligible. However a report by financial advisory service National Capital estimates nearly a million people are missing out on it each year. [2] At Generate we're proud to say that more than 85 percent of our members received the Government contribution in 2024 – that was a bonus of almost $54 million ($53,945,801.84 to be exact.) That high ratio has been a consistent trend with our Generate members, and we attribute it to the power of advice. More than 90 per cent of our members have received a KiwiSaver advice session with us, we believe that keeps them informed and empowered to maximise their KiwiSaver investment. It also helps that they can see how they're tracking in our Generate app, which notifies them if there's a shortfall they need to make up by June 30. With markets in an era of volatility, KiwiSaver investment returns can be very unpredictable. Even though it's now reduced, a sure bet like the Government contribution is definitely still worthwhile. Background – key changes to the government contribution The Government contribution has always been a key benefit of KiwiSaver, ever since the scheme launched in July 2007. The latest Government budget, delivered on May 22, cut this bonus in half. From July 2025, the annual government contribution will be decreased to 25 cents for each dollar a member contributes – the maximum top-up will be $260.72. Previously, there was an annual top-up of $521.43, if you contributed $1,042.86 to your KiwiSaver account between 1 July of the previous year and 30 June of the current year (so long as you met the eligibility criteria [3]). This was 50 cents to every dollar. What's more, those who earn over $180,000 per year will now not receive the Government contribution at all. According to the IRD [4], as of 2024, 3.4% of wage and salary earners in New Zealand earned $180,000 or more, which is also when the top tax bracket kicks in. These changes are expected to save the Government up to $3 billion over the next four years. In positive news, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the Government would start paying the Government contribution to 16- and 17-year-olds.
