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New First Home Buyers Guide: making the journey simpler
Buying your first home is a major milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. There are deposits to understand, borrowing limits to work out, KiwiSaver considerations, lender requirements, property checks and plenty of unfamiliar steps along the way.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
New Zealand housing market: why buyers still have the upper hand
New Zealand’s housing market remains subdued, with property values continuing to drift rather than move decisively in either direction.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
KiwiSaver: more going in, more potential over time
The increase in KiwiSaver contributions is a positive step for many New Zealanders. From 1 April 2026, the default employee and employer contribution rate increased from 3% to 3.5%, meaning more money is being invested for your future every payday. Over time, those additional contributions can compound and make a meaningful difference to your retirement balance.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
Mortgage or KiwiSaver: where should your next dollar go?
With mortgage rates rising again and KiwiSaver contributions increasing automatically, many households are asking where their next spare dollar should be directed.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
Is an investment property still worth considering?
The investment property market in 2026 is more focused on fundamentals than speculation.
With property values broadly flat to slightly lower and mortgage rates moving higher again, investors can no longer rely on quick capital gains to make an underperforming property appear attractive. Rental income, tax treatment, maintenance, insurance, vacancy risk and long-term growth prospects all need to be assessed carefully.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
Mortgage rates are rising again: how long should you refix for?
The direction of mortgage rates has changed during 2026. After a period of falling rates, fixed mortgage rates have started to rise as markets price in higher inflation risks and a gradual return to a more neutral interest-rate environment.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
Winter 2026 Update: A More Selective Property Market, Rising Rates & Making Your Money Work Harder
Welcome to our latest newsletter. As we move through the second half of 2026, the financial landscape has become more nuanced. The housing market remains subdued, mortgage rates have started to move higher again, and households are having to balance competing priorities: managing debt, building savings and making sensible long-term investment decisions.
Advice Knight
2 days ago
Is your KiwiSaver still working as hard as you are?
With winter here, now is a great time to take a fresh look at your KiwiSaver.
Advice Knight
Jun 2
Market Update. Confidence Returns as Markets Rebound.
While the first quarter of 2026 reminded investors that short-term volatility is part of the journey, the more recent story has been far more encouraging. Global markets have rebounded strongly, and KiwiSaver balances have followed suit, with many investors now seeing solid gains again. We are working with providers who have delivered over 10% average returns over 10 years.* This is a helpful reminder of an important principle: markets can move quickly in both directions, an
Advice Knight
Jun 2
OCR Decision Analysis
Yesterday, we had the first OCR decision under the leadership of Governor Breman, and as expected, the Reserve Bank left the OCR unchanged. But for markets and ourselves, the decision itself mattered less than the forecasts and the tone of the statement, because this was our first real chance to get some insight into how Governor Breman's "laser focus" on inflation would actually work in practice.
Advice Knight
Feb 19
KiwiSaver – contribution rates set to go up to 3.5%
From 1 April 2026, the default minimum KiwiSaver contribution rate for both employees and employers will increase from 3% to 3.5%. That means if you’re currently on the minimum, a slightly larger slice of each payday will head straight into your retirement savings, and your employer will also be putting in a bit more. Over time, that extra 0.5% from both sides can add up significantly, especially when compounded over decades.
Advice Knight
Feb 18
Is now a good time to purchase an investment property?
With prices having come back from their peaks and then stabilising into modest growth, 2026 looks more like a fundamentals‑driven investment market than a speculative one. Forecasts of only 2–5% annual price growth mean the days of relying on rapid capital gains alone are, for now, behind us; instead, yield, tax position, and long‑term strategy matter more. On the plus side, a more balanced market gives investors more choice, better negotiating power, and less competition fro
Advice Knight
Feb 18
Interest rates are on the rise again – what’s the current advice?
The Reserve Bank has shifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) into what it calls “stimulatory” territory, with market commentary suggesting the OCR could be around 2.5–3.0% by early 2026, and mortgage rates hovering near 5–5.5% on average. However, the same commentators also stress this lower‑rate environment will not last forever, with expectations that rates will eventually drift back toward a more “neutral” level as the economy strengthens. In practice, borrowers are sitting i
Advice Knight
Feb 18
2026 Housing Forecast: Boom, Bust, or Bounce Back?
2026 is shaping up as a steady year for New Zealand housing rather than a runaway boom or a painful new downturn.
Advice Knight
Feb 18
Your Path to Becoming a KiwiSaver Millionaire
The dream of a million-dollar retirement balance is not just for the privileged few—it is now a highly achievable reality for the majority of young Kiwis. At Advice Knight , we don't view KiwiSaver as a simple savings vehicle; we see it as one of the most important investments you will make in your working life. To reach the coveted seven-figure mark, you need to treat it with the care and strategy of a significant investment portfolio. Projections show that young New Zealan
lisette095
Nov 5, 2025
Our Newest Knight
We are delighted to welcome Rosie Knight as the newest addition to the Advice Knight team.
Advice Knight
Aug 22, 2025
Our New Home: Signwriting is Up and Proud!
The signwriting is officially up and looking fantastic at our new Takapuna office, 2-5 Northcroft Street. After settling into our new space, seeing the Advice Knight name proudly displayed on the building front means you can now find us with ease.
Advice Knight
Aug 22, 2025
A Tree-mendous Update!
At Advice Knight, we are not just focused on helping you grow your wealth; we are also deeply committed to helping New Zealand’s native forests thrive. We are a proud partner of Trees That Count, an incredible initiative dedicated to restoring our country's landscapes, one native tree at a time.
Advice Knight
Aug 22, 2025
Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster: Simple Steps to Save Thousands
Navigating the journey of homeownership can feel like a long road, but what if you could reach the finish line sooner? Paying off your mortgage faster is actually as simple as it sounds, and it can save you thousands in interest over the life of your loan. It’s all about making small, consistent changes that add up to a significant impact.
Advice Knight
Aug 22, 2025
The OCR Cut: What the 3% Official Cash Rate Means for Your Mortgage
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3% this week. This move, a 25 basis point reduction from the previous 3.25%, is a continuation of the RBNZ's strategy to stimulate the economy. This is a significant development for the New Zealand housing market and will have a direct impact on both current and aspiring homeowners.
Advice Knight
Aug 22, 2025
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