Is KiwiSaver working the way it should?

Is KiwiSaver working the way it should?

From The Prosperity Project by NZ Herald

April 12, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

Mary Holm discusses the implications of recent KiwiSaver changes and their impact on low income earners and inequality.

Recent KiwiSaver changes were meant to strengthen the scheme, but one expert says they risk doing the opposite. Mary Holm joins Nadine Higgins to break down why cuts to government contributions hit low income earners hardest, and how current settings could deepen inequality over time. So who is KiwiSaver working for? Why are some workers are missing out on employer support altogether? And what are the unintended incentives baked into the system? Plus, the changes Holm wants to see, from government contributions for beneficiaries to emergency “sidecar” savings designed to stop people falling into debt when life hits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Nadine Higgins

Guest: Mary Holm

Topics covered

  • KiwiSaver
  • government contributions
  • inequality
  • low income earners
  • savings
  • financial support

Keywords

  • KiwiSaver
  • government contributions
  • inequality
  • low income earners
  • savings
  • financial support
  • employer support
  • debt

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: KiwiSaver, NZ Herald

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