Personal finance and KiwiSaver columnist at the NZ Herald
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
![Money man behind movie magic](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Money man behind movie magic
Weta Digital's chief operating officer says he's a support player.
![Executive success: Paul Adams](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive success: Paul Adams
Stabicraft's boats are rugged, but they have to look good too, says company founder.
![Embracing diversity in a rush](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Embracing diversity in a rush
Rhonda Koroheke has some sage advice for organisations looking to tackle diversity in the workplace.
![From receptionist to the top job](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
From receptionist to the top job
When Catie Cotcher started with accounting software company Reckon 17 years ago, she was the receptionist.
![Executive Success: From tech boss to grocer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: From tech boss to grocer
As he prepared to launch out on a new career trajectory after 24 years with Spark, Chris Quin made three lists.
![Executive Success: Planning for change](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Planning for change
It wasn't a 3am, lightbulb moment that set Steve McCrone on a different path, it was a realisation of the whirlwind change shaping today's business environment.
![Finance job bigger than the books](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Finance job bigger than the books
Ridding strategy of jargon can be a challenge, but it's likely to help businesses in the long run, Helen Twose writes.
![No longer the only woman in the room](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
No longer the only woman in the room
COMMENT: Women embracing their strengths, says telco boss.
![Building a career from numbers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Building a career from numbers
Actuaries' work is no longer confined to the world of finance.
![Selling ice cream to China](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Selling ice cream to China
When it comes to eating ice cream, the people of Invercargill are New Zealand champions.
![Young staff mentoring older at ASB](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Young staff mentoring older at ASB
It was the throngs of people in Mission Bay, hunched over their phones, that got to Kevin McDonald.
![Executive success: Medicine minus the blood](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive success: Medicine minus the blood
Kate Reid, general manager of Orion Health NZ, faints at the sight of blood.
![Cost quest in good health](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Cost quest in good health
Finding a remedy for high energy use is creating healthy connections between staff at Wellington's Capital Coast District Health Board. The
![Executive Success: When in doubt, give it a crack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: When in doubt, give it a crack
If Jacqui Nelson's motto for life and work could be summed up in a few words, it would be: just give it a crack.
![Executive success: Working around the world](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive success: Working around the world
COMMENT: Job with global giant has kept manager on the move.
![Business Focus: Marching to their own beat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Business Focus: Marching to their own beat
Manager's focused strategy pays off in ratings, writes Helen Twose.
![KiwiSaver: Big numbers hide problems](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
KiwiSaver: Big numbers hide problems
KiwiSaver has attracted 2.6 million New Zealanders, with an average of 400 people joining every day.
![Think ahead, KiwiSavers urged](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Think ahead, KiwiSavers urged
When it comes to getting people thinking about retirement, one provider is blowing competition out of the water.
![Audit yields double payoff](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Audit yields double payoff
A brand new factory commissioned in 2000 gave Millennium Plastics the high tech edge but an energy audit less than a decade later
![Executive Success: Opening the boardroom door](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Opening the boardroom door
Former head of State Insurance explains her decision to step out of her executive role .
![Taking bright ideas to the next level](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Taking bright ideas to the next level
COMMENT: You have to be happy living with stress, entrepreneur says.
![Executive success: Career switch pays off](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive success: Career switch pays off
COMMENT: Accountant's focus is now on electricity customers.
![Helen Twose: KiwiSaver is money of last resort](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: KiwiSaver is money of last resort
COMMENT: Nearly 11,000 people successfully applied to withdraw money from their KiwiSaver in the year to June.
![Executive Success: Minding other peoples' business](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Minding other peoples' business
COMMENT: Small business owners offered a guiding hand.
![People power key to efficiency](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
People power key to efficiency
Six steps to staff engagement 1: Set up a team. 2: Research attitudes and behaviour. 3: Identify actions and timelines. 4: Implement
![Helen Twose: Beware new-job small print](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Beware new-job small print
COMMENT: Total remuneration means all the employment benefits are reflected in the salary or wages.
![Young achiever plays matchmaker](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Young achiever plays matchmaker
COMMENT: Entrepreneur's scheme helps younger people into governance.
![Helen Twose: Sisterly love buys a home](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Sisterly love buys a home
COMMENT: Anyone who has been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years and hasn't previously owned a home may be able to withdraw their savings.
![Executive success: NZ in an ocean of uncertainty](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive success: NZ in an ocean of uncertainty
COMMENT: NZ better than many, but future is clouded says visiting scholar
![How did a thief repay debt with KiwiSaver?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
How did a thief repay debt with KiwiSaver?
COMMENT: Applicants are expected to provide physical evidence of their financial hardship.
![Helen Twose: Language the key to Asia](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Language the key to Asia
COMMENT: The key ingredients for cracking the business bigtime in Asia can be found close to home.
![Business Innovation: Workers need to go with the flow](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Business Innovation: Workers need to go with the flow
The future belongs to the 'liquid workforce'.
![You can't simply turn back KiwiSaver clock](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
You can't simply turn back KiwiSaver clock
COMMENT: IRD says if an employee thinks deductions or contributions haven't been made they need to contact it within 12 months of starting a new job.
![Helen Twose: Help yourself, then help others](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Help yourself, then help others
COMMENT: Hospitality head wants it to be a more attractive career choice.
![Energy upgrade's double dividend](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Energy upgrade's double dividend
A grand design for energy efficiency has paid dividends for both the tenant and owner in a Christchurch office makeover. When Goodman
![Twose: Taking nature into account](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Twose: Taking nature into account
COMMENT: You don't always know what you've got until it's gone, but a new tool is helping businesses appreciate the natural resources they use.
![Engineering a 50/50 gender split](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Engineering a 50/50 gender split
Firm's effort is attracting more women to a male-dominated field, writes Helen Twose.
![My wife missed out on $16,500 from KiwiSaver](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
My wife missed out on $16,500 from KiwiSaver
COMMENT: Unlike in Australia, where superannuation saving is compulsory, joining KiwiSaver is your choice.
![Excecutive Success: Aiming to make a better brew](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Excecutive Success: Aiming to make a better brew
Even in the long-established tea and coffee trade, there's still room for innovation.
![Estating case for getting HomeStart Grant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Estating case for getting HomeStart Grant
COMMENT: There's nothing like a bit of legal jargon to trip you up and the KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal rules have plenty of it.
![Executive Success: New industry, same ambitions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: New industry, same ambitions
From Nike to Spark, marketer says his move isn't really such a big leap.
![Helen Twose: When you're 65 ...](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: When you're 65 ...
COMMENT: Your member tax credit is based on how much you contribute during the KiwiSaver year, not on the calendar year.
![All pension schemes are not made the same](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
All pension schemes are not made the same
If you transfer your UK pension funds to a non-QROPS before you turn 55 , early withdrawal penalties could apply.
![Big gains on tap from trimming energy use](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Big gains on tap from trimming energy use
Efficiency moves by industry deliver financial savings.
![Banker gives full credit to the team](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Banker gives full credit to the team
The spirit of time spent on the rugby field permeates Martin Gaskell's career.
![Putting insight in the right hands](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Putting insight in the right hands
Data is good but acting on it is better, writes Helen Twose.
![There is a time limit on starting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
There is a time limit on starting
For those who have joined KiwiSaver prior to turning 65 there is no requirement to withdraw the funds or close your account once you are 65 or eligible to access the money.
![Helen Twose: From icecream to insurance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: From icecream to insurance
COMMENT: More than 20 years after launching Magnum icecreams, it's still a case study Rob Hennin regularly comes back to.
![Helen Twose: Can I buy a plot of land?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Can I buy a plot of land?
COMMENT: HomeStart grant, which can provide a boost of $3000-$20,000 depending on your circumstances, has different hurdles to the KiwiSaver withdrawal.
![Twose: Focus on output, not hours put in](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Twose: Focus on output, not hours put in
If it's 4pm on a Tuesday, you won't find Competenz chief executive Fiona Kingsford in the office.
![Helen Twose: Can I buy my first home in Blighty?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Can I buy my first home in Blighty?
COMMENT: KiwiSaver can be accessed for buying a first home, but one of the eligibility criteria is that the house or land must be in New Zealand.
![Bankrupt and starting again? There are options](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Bankrupt and starting again? There are options
comment: Since the beginning of July income caps have been removed for previous home owners wanting to withdraw savings to get back into housing market.
![OE shaped a beautiful career](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
OE shaped a beautiful career
When Angela Buglass decided against a career in the military, she found herself in the beauty industry.
![Mega firms learn to be nimble](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mega firms learn to be nimble
Agile startups have taught their more established cousins a thing or two, writes Helen Twose.
![You can stay profitable with sustainable option](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
You can stay profitable with sustainable option
Compact, liveable cities can be the most efficient places for people to live, writes Helen Twose.
![Twose: It's all about getting a start](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Twose: It's all about getting a start
COMMENT: Housing NZ assesses applications on behalf of KiwiSaver providers to understand if the applicant is in the same financial position as a first-home buyer.
![Online shoppers short on loyalty](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Online shoppers short on loyalty
Adland's highly airbrushed images are no longer cutting it with today's beauty product fans, opening up new opportunities to get under the skin of consumers.
![Helen Twose: Where there's a will, there's less pain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Helen Twose: Where there's a will, there's less pain
A couple of weeks back I asked Charlotte Lockhart from Perpetual Guardian about what happens to KiwiSaver funds when you die.
![Words give way to building tools](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Words give way to building tools
Auckland's sky-high house prices were the catalyst for a former advertising executive to chuck in a 20-year career and pick up tools.
![Executive Success: Home to plump up wine sales](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Home to plump up wine sales
With a mere 2pc of the market, the field is wide open for New Zealand tipples.
!['First-home buyer' means what it says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'First-home buyer' means what it says
One of the criteria to qualify as a first-home buyer is that you have never held an "estate in land", either solely or jointly with another person.
![Executive Success: Indigenous touch for technology](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Indigenous touch for technology
Keung trained as an accountant is helping improve the wellbeing of communities most at risk of poor health with technology.
![Death and the KiwiSaver](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Death and the KiwiSaver
What happens to KiwiSaver money when you die? This question was asked by a young guy at a KiwiSaver seminar I was attending, writes Helen Twose.
![Twose: Put youth to work in boardroom](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Twose: Put youth to work in boardroom
When Hamish Walker sits at the board table, all that's going through his mind is: will it make the boat go faster?
![Putting energy into savings](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Putting energy into savings
Helen Twose talks to three winners of this year's EECA Awards for energy efficiency.
![Kiwisaver: Tangles trip up UK fund transfers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Kiwisaver: Tangles trip up UK fund transfers
KiwiSaver is a long-term investment and decisions should be made with your long-term interest in mind and not on a whim.
![Executive Success: Branding right at home with technology](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Branding right at home with technology
It's been a world of firsts for Louise Kuegler since she joined Vodafone a couple of months back.
![Flat-pack home ordered via smartphone](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Flat-pack home ordered via smartphone
Building apprentices with technology smarts will soon be in demand.
![Success starts with the customer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Success starts with the customer
When British bank Atom launched last month, it did so by inviting new customers to download its app.
![KiwiSaver: Savings fund fair game in divorce](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
KiwiSaver: Savings fund fair game in divorce
As part of the relationship break-up - marriage, civil union or de facto relationships - property may also be split: the Property (Relationships) Act sets out the rules.
![Open strategy the answer to building trust](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Open strategy the answer to building trust
When this CEO gets the occasional phone call from a shareholder they're genuinely taken aback to be speaking directly to the boss rather than his PA.
![KiwiSaver: ACC earners miss out on boss top-ups](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
KiwiSaver: ACC earners miss out on boss top-ups
It is absolutely possible to contribute to KiwiSaver while receiving ACC payments. But it's not obligatory.
![Wanted: More women on building sites](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Wanted: More women on building sites
The wolf whistle might be disappearing, but it's still a man's world on the building site.
![Executive Success: Moving beyond the numbers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Executive Success: Moving beyond the numbers
Making sense of the dollars at brewing giant Lion was once the bottom line for Robin Davies.
![How to turn your roos into homing kiwi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
How to turn your roos into homing kiwi
The only way to get your Australian superannuation savings transferred before retirement is to shift it to a KiwiSaver provider.
![From high tech to simple words](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
From high tech to simple words
The ideas Matt Gould talks about veer into the stuff of science fiction, but they're likely to be commonplace in the next five years, he says.