More than half of Kiwis worry about money weekly as financial pressures remain

The equivalent of just over two million people worry about money either daily or weekly, according to the Financial Services Council. Photo / 123rf

• A new survey shows 55% of New Zealanders worry about money either daily or weekly.
• Those “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the overall economy rose to 51%.
• Only 44% of New Zealanders said they feel financially prepared for retirement.

More than half of New Zealanders worry about money weekly amid persistent financial pressures, according to a new survey.

The Financial Services Council’s (FSC) latest Financial Resilience Index found 55% of New Zealanders – equivalent to just over two million people – worry about money either daily or weekly.

Despite concerns around inflation, house prices and interest rates easing slightly compared with last year, 83% remain “very” or “somewhat” concerned about inflation.

Meanwhile, the number of people feeling “very” or “somewhat” unconfident with the overall economy rose to 51%, up from 49% in 2024.

“These results show that while there’s potential for optimism, many households are still feeling the pinch,” said FSC chief executive Kirk Hope.

“The data reflects that financial pressure hasn’t disappeared.”

Financial issues also had an impact on the wellbeing of those surveyed, with 59% reporting their mental health had been affected.

Younger generations remain the groups that worry about money more regularly, with 35% of Gen Z worrying about it daily compared with Gen Y (30%), Gen X (31%), and Baby Boomers (16%).

Job security dropped, with 80% reportedly feeling either completely, very or reasonably secure in their current employment, down from 85% in 2024.

“Job security remains high but there is a small downward trend,” the report said.

Only 44% of New Zealanders said they feel financially prepared for retirement, down 6% from last year.

“At present, fewer than half of Kiwis feel financially prepared for retirement – a phase of life that should be defined by security and peace of mind,” Hope said.

KiwiSaver remains the top investment New Zealanders have, with 81% of Kiwis enrolled – more than double the 40% who hold cash investments like term deposits.

“With KiwiSaver being the primary investment vehicle for most New Zealanders, it’s essential that we re-examine settings around contributions and enrolment,” Hope said.

“Ensuring people can maximise the benefits of KiwiSaver is critical not just for their retirement, but for the long-term financial wellbeing of the country.”

A recent BNZ Voice survey found squeezed households were resorting to high-interest credit fixes to juggle back-to-school and work costs.

More than a third (37%) said they were turning to high-interest lending such as buy now, pay later services and credit cards to cover costs.

The biggest start-of-year expenses were stationery (53%), transport (42%), school and work uniforms (42%) and technology-related costs (40%).

Meanwhile, financial hardships in February were 16% higher year on year compared with a year ago, according to Centrix data.

Cameron Smith is an Auckland-based journalist with the Herald business team. He joined the Herald in 2015 and has covered business and sports. He reports on topics such as retail, small business, the workplace and macroeconomics.