Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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ChildFund – Children in the Pacific and beyond in urgent need

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

“Increasing global volatility, ongoing wars and reduced access to water and nutrition are hurting children in our region and across the world,’ says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.
Today is World Children’s Day.
– 1 in 4 children live in a country affected by conflict or disaster
– Children in crisis settings account for half of all under-five deaths
– 339,000 children are born into displacement every year.
“World Children’s Day is a reminder that every child, no matter where they are born, deserves access to clean water, decent food, and an education” says Josie Pagani.
Last week, ChildFund NZ launched two controversial campaigns (Her First Sip and Deadly Weapon), to highlight the preventable child sicknesses and deaths in the Pacific region due to limited access to clean water.
“Only 16% of school children in the Solomon Islands have access to clean, safe drinking water. We're only a few hours away by plane from children, in our own region, who are suffering or worse, and missing out on school, simply from lack of access to clean water.”
“In Kiribati, only 27% of households have access to safe drinking water.”
“Since launching this campaign, we have received very positive feedback, but also some alarming hate mail.”
Previously, Josie Pagani said “We make no apology for offending you” in response to the shock of ChildFund NZ's campaign.
Some negative comments on their social media include ” what kind of fkn ads that?”
ChildFund New Zealand is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, a network of ten child focused organisations across the world focusing on helping children in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and anywhere children are at risk.
The ChildFund Alliance reached 36 million children across 66 countries last year, with programmes protecting children from violence or abuse; providing emergency education during wars and disasters; psychosocial support to help children heal from trauma; and bringing clean water and decent food to children who have neither, and much more.
“On this global day of recognising children at risk across the world, we ask New Zealanders to support the work of charities like ours,” says Josie Pagani
Donate and learn more at https://childfund.org.nz/her-first-sip/
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Weather News – A calm and quiet end to a wet week – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 20th – Monday 24th November – The sun is emerging over most of Aotearoa New Zealand today (Thursday), bringing the opportunity to get outdoors after a wet start to the week. Christchurch is already enjoying clear skies, and the cloud will burn off this afternoon over the North Island.

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley details, “The trend of morning cloud burning off to clear skies will continue for the North Island as a high pressure settles in for a few days. Fluffy cumulus clouds will sprout inland in the afternoon, with the odd sprinkling of showers, particularly in Northland.”

This will be welcome news for cricket fans hoping to make it to Hamilton for the Blackcaps vs. West Indies match on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday, Southland will be the exception to the rule. Rain will move in from the west, but fine spells follow once the rain has cleared.

MetService has an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for Fiordland until noon on Friday, with the added risk of thunderstorms. The band of rain will weaken as it moves north up the South Island. There is minimal risk of severe weather over the weekend, but the moist air could make for cloudy conditions.

Warm temperatures will continue for eastern parts on Friday. Christchurch has a forecast maximum temperature of 29°C. Gisborne, Masterton, Blenheim and Ashburton are all expected to reach 28°C.

Most centres return to typical spring temperatures over the weekend, and we can all sleep easier with less muggy overnight conditions.  

Monday will be a chilly day in Christchurch, with a forecast maximum of 13°C after the southerly surge of a cold front in the early hours of the morning which will bring a line of showers.

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University Research – Global rise of junk food a major health hazard – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Ultraprocessed food is displacing healthy food and driving up rates of diabetes, depression and heart disease in New Zealand and internationally, a new report shows.

‘Ultra-processed foods’ are dominating diets worldwide and driving a rapid rise in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, according to a new landmark report.

Ultra-processed foods are made from cheap ingredients using industrial methods, contain a lot of sugar, salt, fat and additives, and are heavily promoted.

“In Aotearoa, New Zealand, it is likely that consumption of ultra-processed food is around 50 to 60 percent of the nation’s diet, similar to other high-income, English-speaking countries,” says Professor Boyd Swinburn, a population nutrition researcher from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Swinburn is an author of one of the three papers comprising The Lancet’s Series.

The actual figure is not known, because New Zealand has not had a nutrition survey in adults for 18 years and in children for 23 years, Swinburn says.

“We do know that unhealthy diets and obesity are our biggest risk factor for disease and death in New Zealand, and this is driven by our high intake of ultra-processed foods,” Swinburn says.

“So, we really need to face the issue, measure the intake with a national food survey, and take steps to reduce the intake from that high level.”

Junk food displacing healthy food: urgent action needed

The Lancet Series highlights that ultra-processed foods are displacing fresh and minimally processed foods, worsening diet quality, and increasing risk of multiple chronic diseases.  

“In Aotearoa New Zealand, we really need policies to create healthier food environments if we want to make a difference to our increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems,” Swinburn says.

The Lancet series’ 43 authors say improving diets cannot rely on consumer behaviour change alone but rather requires coordinated policies to reduce ultra-processed food production, marketing and consumption.

Swinburn says many countries are taking serious action on ultra-processed foods, especially across Latin America, and they are getting results.

The Ministry of Health is currently revising New Zealand dietary guidelines for children and youth and they need to include recommendations on ultra-processed foods, Swinburn says.

“The free school lunches for 25 percent of children, through the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme, have to meet nutrition guidelines, but, in the rest of the schools, ultra-processed foods are frequently on the menu or in the tuck shop.

“The existing regulations which require schools to promote healthy foods should be extended to the provision of food – the canteen should match the curriculum.”

Mandatory warning labels, taxes and curbs on marketing required

Many countries have mandatory warning labels showing foods high in fat, sugar and salt and New Zealand should follow suit, Swinburn says.

“Half the world has taxes on sugary drinks – New Zealand needs a UK-style Sugary Drinks Industry Levy with the funding going towards the efforts of communities and local food growers to provide inexpensive healthy foods,” he says.

Ultra-processed foods are harmful products and their marketing to children should be banned – New Zealand has the second highest rate of child obesity in the OECD, yet no policies to address this, Swinburn says.

“It is important to look beyond the ultra-processed foods themselves and into the high profit system that drives their production and promotion,” he says.

“Ultra-processed food corporations are highly expert at manipulating cheap ingredients and industrial additives into hyperpalatable foods, exploiting consumers with sophisticated marketing, and turning poorer neighbourhoods into swamps of fast food.”
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Employment Disputes – Fern Energy workers vote to strike for better pay and good faith bargaining

Source: Workers First Union

Workers First Union members at Fern Energy, a leading fuel distributor and logistics provider, have voted to take strike action by withdrawing their labour from 26 November to 1 December. They are seeking industry-standard pay and conditions and have criticised the company’s refusal to attend mediatiated bargaining with the union unless workers withdraw their notice of industrial action.
Fern Energy is involved in the delivery of bulk fuel supplies to industrial sites, farms and transport operators nationwide. They are considered an essential service, and as such, fourteen days’ notice of industrial action is required by law due to the risk of disruption of fuel supplies to several key industries.
“We’re tried in good faith to reach a settlement for our fuel workers at Fern, but there are significant unresolved issues preventing a fair outcome for workers,” said Justin Wallace, Workers First Union organiser.
“They lag behind the industry standard on pay and conditions, and company representatives have behaved in a petulant manner by refusing to attend mediated bargaining with union members unless they withdraw their strike notice.”
“If I was a farmer relying on Fern to deliver my fuel, I would not be happy to learn that the company was refusing to attend mediation and engage in good faith bargaining, which risks disruption to their supply of fuel.”
“Other critical issues remain like overtime parity with other operators in the fuel delivery sector, and a fair allocation of hours for workers.”
Mr Wallace said that currently, non-union Fern Energy workers on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) receive preferential treatment and compensation by the employer, with IEA workers receiving potentially higher pay rates based on skills and experience while unionised workers on a Collective Agreement achieve progression through years of service and ‘step-by-step’ progression.
“It’s an unlawful approach that is splitting the workforce, and a fairly clear attempt to undermine pay negotiations,” said Mr Wallace.
“This is a tactic straight out of the 1980s playbook and members won't stand for it in 2025. It’s a very old-school approach to employment relations.”
“Workers who do the same job should receive the equivalent pay and not be disadvantaged for bargaining collectively through their union.”
Workers First members remain committed to dialogue with the company but will not withdraw their strike notices in the absence of a fair offer to workers, Mr Wallace said, despite the company’s pleas.
“Refusing to participate in mediated bargaining until strike notices are withdrawn is stand-over behaviour, and we will not back down,” said Mr Wallace.
“We strongly urge the company to reconsider their approach and engage constructively with the union to avoid significant disruption to fuel supplies in several key industries.”
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JOINT STATEMENT: COP 30 – SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT AND WORLD VISION SOLOMON ISLANDS URGE WORLD LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN CLIMATE FINANCE TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FOOD SECURITY

Source: World Vision

 

  • Fund adaptation now: Leaders at COP 30 must urgently deliver grant-based climate finance to secure children's food and health, integrating intergenerational dialogue and 1.5 °C ambition into all decisions to support frontline communities in the Pacific facing existential climate threats.
  • Invest in people-centred, climate-responsive social protection systems: to ensure children's immediate needs are met, including water security, health, and safe food access.
  • Urgent Emissions Cuts to Save Food Systems: Countries must submit enhanced NDCs with deep, rapid emissions cuts aligned with the 1.5 °C target to prevent the catastrophic failure of food security in vulnerable regions like the Pacific.

 

As world leaders convene for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, the “Amazon COP”, the Solomon Islands Government and World Vision Solomon Islands are calling for an urgent course correction to close the finance gap, protect global food systems, and deliver on the 1.5 °C goal before it is too late for the world's most vulnerable children.

 

The conference, which is taking place ten years since the Paris Agreement, must serve as a turning point from pledges to action. The Solomons government and World Vision say the failure to curb emissions and adequately finance adaptation is fueling a global hunger crisis, poor diet and malnutrition, which directly impacts children and youth across the Pacific.

 

Honourable Polycarp Paea, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, says: “Our commitment is rooted in the wise stewardship of our oceans and forests. We are protecting these vital resources for future generations through strategies like reforestation and sustainable fisheries, as outlined in our NDC 3.0. Recognising that over 70% of our population are youth, we are actively breaking down barriers by integrating climate education, supporting advisory groups, and ensuring young people lead in the decisions that shape our nation's climate resilience.”

 

The $1.3 Trillion Question: Delivering Adaptation Finance Now

 

The primary focus of COP 30 is climate finance, particularly the “Baku to Belém Roadmap” which aims to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing countries.

 

The Solomon Islands Government and World Vision Solomon Islands insist this goal must be met with urgency, transparency, and a focus on grant-based adaptation:

 

  • Scale-up adaptation grants: Developed nations must prioritise grant-based funding for adaptation, not loans, to support frontline communities in the Pacific and low-lying regions facing existential threats from sea-level rise and extreme weather.

 

  • Fund human-centred adaptation: Finance must flow directly to climate-responsive social protection systems and programs that address the immediate needs of children, including water security, health, and safe food access—core themes emphasised by the Belém Declaration.

 

Food Systems and the 1.5°C Imperative

 

COP 30’s focus on the transformation of agriculture and food systems provides a crucial opportunity to link climate action directly to the fight against hunger.

 

Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5 °C which threatens to further destabilise the fragile food security of millions, including the most vulnerable children.

 

World Vision and Solomons Government say countries must submit enhanced NDCs that include deep, rapid emissions cuts aligned with the 1.5 °C target and recognize that exceeding this limit guarantees catastrophic failure of food systems in vulnerable regions.

 

They also say that the voices of indigenous people and local communities’ must be prioritized in line with the Amazon COP's commitment to a “Global Mutirão.”  This means meaningful participation with Indigenous Peoples and local leaders, whose traditional knowledge is essential for stewarding forests and developing sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Intergenerational Dialogue and the Lived Reality of Loss and Damage

 

The Solomon Islands delegation is committed to ensuring the voices of those currently impacted drive COP outcomes. On 18 November 2025, the Government of Solomon Islands and World Vision co-hosted a key COP30 side event: Natural Resource Management: Intergenerational Dialogue at the Moana Pavilion. This dialogue helped to connect policymakers with children, youth, and community leaders on climate-smart stewardship.

 

Child advocate Lynthia,12, shared their Joint Statement from Children, Youth and PWDs to the Government of Solomon Islands, which was earlier presented during the National Loss and Damage Dialogue in Solomon Islands last month.

 

Lynthia said: “My dream is to become a doctor, but to heal the world, we must first heal the land. Our future requires a transition of learning—teaching every child about climate change and the wise stewardship of our resources. We are here as young people who live the climate crisis every single day. For us climate change is our lived reality—our homes are washed away by saltwater, our food gardens are destroyed, and our families are being displaced. We, the children and youth, demand that the leaders at COP 30 invest now to support us in protecting our identity, livelihood, and future.”

 

Irene Marbun, World Vision Solomon Islands Operations Manager, says: “Children did not create this crisis, yet they are paying for it. Our unified climate action proves that the solutions are ready at the community level. We stand with the Solomon Islands Government, our Pacific leaders, children and youth in demanding one thing from this COP: a commitment to investing in human-centred adaptation that guarantees our children a future free from climate-driven hunger.”

 

World Vision and the Solomon Islands Government also extended their sincere appreciation to Lynthia, her parents and school for fostering an exceptional young woman with a deep commitment to advocating for the environment and serving the people of the Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific region.

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Insurers welcome Govt decision to keep NHC levy unchanged

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has welcomed the Government’s decision to leave the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) levy unchanged, amid ongoing concerns around the cost-of-living.
The levy, collected by insurers on behalf of the Government, helps ensure the NHC is funded to provide basic cover for natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and flooding.
“Keeping the levy unchanged for now is good news for households facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“We welcome the Government’s decision and the importance of keeping insurance accessible. Taxes and levies already account for around 40% of a home premium.”
A recent survey found that 50% of respondents were unwilling to pay $200 more a year to ensure the NHC was properly funded, with 30% willing to pay more.
Mr Faafoi said the NHC continues to play a vital role in supporting recovery when disasters strike.
“New Zealand is one of the most natural hazard-prone countries in the world, and climate change is making these events more severe and intense. The NHC remains a critical component in our ability to recover,” he said.
“We acknowledge the Government is balancing the ongoing sustainability of the NHC Scheme alongside the equally important goal of keeping costs manageable for households today.
“ICNZ has continually emphasised that the best way to manage long-term accessibility is to reduce risk across communities before disaster strikes.
“The Government’s National Adaptation Framework provides much-needed direction on how government, councils, the private sector and communities will work together to reduce and manage climate-related risks. However, we need clear rules, funding arrangements and responsibilities locked in quickly so that adaptation can move from paper to real projects on the ground.
“By reducing risk, we protect our communities and ensure insurance remains accessible,” Kris Faafoi said.
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Northland News – Former regional councillor Monty Knight remembered

Source: Northland Regional Council

Northland Regional Council (NRC) chair Pita Tipene has paid tribute to former councillor Monty Knight who died tragically in his beloved Far North at the weekend.
Chair Tipene says Councillor Knight was much respected throughout Taitokerau for his business acumen over many years as both a retailer in several fields, including jewellery, and as a winemaker.
“He was inducted into the Northland Business Hall of Fame in 2010, just one year after another Northland retailing legend, jeweller Sir Michael Hill.”
Chair Tipene says Councillor Knight also represented his community via stints on both NRC and the Far North District Council.
“He joined Northland Regional Council representing Te Hiku, the council’s then northern-most constituency in February 2015, in a by-election following the passing of former councillor Dennis Bowman.”
“During his time on council Cr Knight served as one of council’s two appointees to the then new Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe beach board.”
Chair Tipene says Cr Knight will be remembered as a public-minded and down-to-earth person, who cared deeply about his local community.
“Monty was a genuinely nice human being who served his people with passion and commitment.”
He was also not afraid to back himself as evidenced by his successful move into winemaking at Okahu Estate in the 1980s, something sceptics had thought would prove impossible.
“On behalf of Northland Regional Council and its ratepayers I’d like to acknowledge Monty for his exemplary service to the people.”
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Climate Leaders Coalition launches next chapter

Source: Sustainable Business Council

The Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) is this morning unveiling a new Statement of Ambition and refreshed Strategy, marking the next step in business-led climate action in New Zealand – just as COP30 concludes in Belém.
“As CLC enters a new chapter, we do so with an unwavering resolve to deliver on the commitment the Coalition first set down in 2018, support stable long term policy settings and help Aotearoa New Zealand deliver a pathway to net zero by 2050 for a prosperous future,” says Malcolm Johns, CLC Convenor and CEO of Genesis Energy.
“As the realities of climate action evolve, so too must our collective leadership.”
“The launch of this new Statement of Ambition reflects that, placing greater emphasis on CEO-to-CEO collaboration, increased accountability, and practical partnerships with government to drive enduring change.”
The new statement outlines specific CEO and business commitments in several key areas, including:
– Overall commitment to support New Zealand’s net zero 2050 goal by setting climate targets or goals that contribute to New Zealand’s transition.
– CEO commitment to further build climate knowledge, support teams to deliver climate action across businesses, and engage with board members on climate governance.
– Commitment to work with other CEOs to drive collaborative climate action efforts.
– Business commitments to embed climate considerations into business strategies, publicly report on past progress and future plans, and influence climate action across value chains through collaboration with wider sectors.
– Commitment to advocate for policies and initiatives that support CLC’s vision.
The new statement also reinforces CLC’s expectation of transparency for all signatories, while reflecting the evolution of climate reporting, which is now mandatory for some signatories. To avoid duplication of effort, where possible, the Coalition will rely on public disclosures to gather information to support signatory accountability and collective reporting on progress.
“Public transparency has always been a cornerstone of the Coalition’s work, and remains so. Signatories must continue to transparently report progress against their climate-related targets and goals, as well as their plans for the future.”
A refreshed strategy underpins the commitments, anchoring the Coalition to New Zealand’s legislated 2050 climate targets.
Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) Mike Burrell says, “This refreshed strategy recognises the complexity of the journey ahead and the diversity of the Coalition’s sectors. Importantly, it ensures even the hard-to-abate sectors remain in the tent, ensuring New Zealand’s biggest climate challenges are tackled head-on. It’s designed to unlock impact, maintain momentum, and ensure our business leaders stay the course.”
“Critically, it also positions the Coalition’s signatory businesses to harness the immense opportunities, particularly in potential economic and export growth, arising from the shift to a net zero economy.”
The Coalition has this morning also announced the focus of its first major collaboration under the new Statement, which will focus on driving emissions reductions in the value chain.
“Signatories recognise scope 3 emissions present the biggest challenge, but also the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions, across the system. We look forward to sharing more information on this work as it’s developed,” says Mr Burrell.
Both the new Statement and refreshed Strategy recognise climate action is not a task CLC can achieve alone, and reflect the Coalition’s steadfast commitment to work alongside government to advocate for stable policy and practical solutions for the betterment of all of New Zealand.
Mr Johns says, “With the launch of this new Statement and refreshed Strategy, we signal our unified commitment to maintain our momentum and continue to lead from the top by engaging our boards, empowering our teams, and building capability throughout our businesses to enable lasting change.”
“We invite other businesses to join us and do the same.”
The new Statement will replace the 2017, 2019 and 2022 Statements. Existing signatories and new signatories will have 18 months from joining, or until March 2027 (whichever comes first), to meet the new commitments.
A copy of the new Statement of Ambition and refreshed Strategy can be found here.
Supporting guidance for signatories can also be found here.
Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur across a company’s value chain (all activities involved in creating and delivering a product or service), such as those from suppliers, product use, transportation, and waste disposal.
About the Climate Leaders Coalition
The Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) was launched in July 2018 with a mission of having business CEOs leading the response to climate change through collective, transparent, and meaningful action on mitigation and adaptation. Coalition signatories collectively represent around 30% of GDP, employ around 9% of NZ’s full-time employees, and have a collective turnover of $123 billion. The Sustainable Business Council provides secretariat support for the Coalition.
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Deep Sea Mining Campaign – New Briefing Paper Released as TMC Reports $184.5M Loss for Q3 2025

Source: Deep Sea Mining Campaign (DSMC)

The Deep Sea Mining Campaign (DSMC) has today released Shifting Tides, a new briefing paper analysing The Metals Company’s (TMC) plan to mine the Pacific Ocean via the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act (DSHMRA). The paper finds that TMC’s proposed pivot introduces significant regulatory uncertainties, and heightens financial, legal, and regulatory risk for investors. 

Drawing on TMC’s own filings, investor presentations, and pre-feasibility study, the briefing concludes that the U.S. licensing pathway is far more complex than TMC likes to suggest. Even in the most optimistic scenario, the process is likely to take at least 18 months, and could face administrative delays or legal challenges. 

“The regulatory pathway is uncertain, politically exposed, and wholly dependent on support in Washington that cannot be guaranteed over time. Investors should be wary of assuming this shift resolves any of the risks that have dogged the project for years,” said Andy Whitmore, Finance Advocacy Officer at the Deep Sea Mining Campaign. 

Shifting Tides also highlights serious questions about TMC’s own financial viability, including:

  • Over-reliance on untested regulatory processes under DSHMRA 

  • Political dependencies that introduce significant volatility

  • Questionable assumptions in revenue projections 

  • Underestimating costs, including royalties payments 

  • Ongoing uncertainties around the feasibility of commercial-scale nodule extraction and processing.

Rather than stabilising the company’s trajectory, TMC’s U.S. pivot appears to introduce new political, legal, and commercial vulnerabilities. This includes a major red flag whether minerals and metals produced via this pathway could be in breach of international law, affecting a range of non-US partners. 

“TMC’s own filings acknowledge political fragility and the possibility of delays. Investors should understand that this pivot is not the solution Gerard Barron wants you to believe it is,” adds Whitmore. 

Shifting Tides provides a detailed assessment of these risks and analyses what the U.S. pathway might mean for timelines, market confidence, and the deep sea mining industry. 

The briefing paper is available at this link: https://dsm-campaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Shifting-Tides-TMCs-U.S.-Pivot.pdf?utm_source=media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tmc_us_pivot

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Banking – ASB Investor Confidence Survey: Confidence up 9% for Q3

Source: ASB

  • Net investor confidence is now at 10%, up from 1% last quarter, with Auckland up to 16%.
  • Perceptions of a home as the best returning investment have dropped to their lowest level since first measured in 2015, with under 30s driving the shift to other investments, particularly the share market with confidence jumping to 21%. 
  • Global and domestic issues continue to strongly influence the mood, with perceptions divided among different demographics.

Investor confidence in New Zealand has shown an improvement this quarter, despite the fact that Kiwis continue to navigate a landscape marked by global uncertainty, a flat domestic property market, and evolving expectations for returns.

Across the country, investor confidence is highest in Auckland at +16%, while confidence for the rest of New Zealand is up to 7%, including the South Island at 8% and Lower North Island lowest at just 3%.

ASB Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown notes “Investor confidence has improved. Markets have recovered since the volatility we had earlier in the year, and that’s impacting sentiment positively now, but the flat housing market and lower term deposit rates continue to weigh on the mood.”

For a second consecutive quarter, global political instability or uncertainty is the top concern for investors, with 90% citing it as a key factor.

There has been a notable decrease in those saying they are ‘very or extremely concerned’, and fewer investors are making or considering adjustments to their portfolios. In fact, 53% of those with concerns are now choosing not to make any changes – an improvement from last quarter.

Chris says “What we’re seeing is that investors are becoming more accustomed to uncertainty. Based on our customers’ behaviour, most are choosing to stay the course and not make changes to their portfolios, even as global headlines continue to shift.”

When it comes to perception of best returns, Kiwi views are evolving. One’s own home continues to be rated the best investment overall, but this sentiment has dropped to 15%, the lowest level since we started measuring it in 2015.

“While property is still on top, it’s with much less conviction than in the past. New Zealanders are still looking for signs of recovery in the housing market, but it’s clear that confidence in this traditional favourite is being challenged.”

Perceptions about housing being the place to generate the most wealth are very low for under 30s, who may still be trying to work out how to get into the property market, a stark but understandable contrast to the over 60 participants, whose wealth may be tied up in property,” explains Chris.

In contrast to the low readings on housing, the under 30s surveyed are clearly focussed on other investments, particularly the share market, where confidence has lifted significantly over the past quarter, jumping to 21% compared to 13% in the previous quarter and making it the area that the predominantly Gen Z generation is most confident in when it comes to returns.

Overall, managed investments have held steady at 14%, just after KiwiSaver, which has now overtaken rental property and term deposits in perceived return. Public shares are also gaining favour, with perceptions increasing to 12%. Other options such as rental property, term deposits, and bank savings accounts remain stable, but are no longer seen as the stand-out choices they once were.

“Looking ahead, the overall message is one of cautious optimism. While confidence has edged up, the underlying drivers of uncertainty, like global events, policy changes, and a sluggish property market, remain. Investors are adapting to a constantly changing global backdrop, and while the mood is more positive than last quarter, it is far from buoyant.” says Chris.