NZ Herald Q&A Column – Mary Holm

NZ Herald 30 August 2025

mary — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 12:00:05 +0000

Biggest KiwiSaver provider ANZ’s policy not good for employees Couple are perfect candidates for reverse mortgage Are health insurance premiums negotiable? Some fans of health insurance QSomething that’s been a bugbear of mine is that ANZ, as the largest KiwiSaver provider and one of the largest employers in the country, does not offer KiwiSaver employer contributions for a large...

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NZ Herald 23 August 2025

mary — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:00:01 +0000

Scam warning Good way to help family members with a mortgage Don’t try to predict share crashes — it doesn’t work 2 Q&As on why you may not need health insurance A Facebook page and an entry in Instagram have recently appeared claiming to be mine, and suggesting people join me in some investments. I have nothing to do with this, and I’m trying to get it taken down.

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NZ Herald 16 August 2025

mary — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:00:20 +0000

A way to build family wealth When a couple of percentage points matters Don’t drop health insurance … … how much in savings do you need if you do? When you should and shouldn’t switch risk level Timing markets not as easy as it sounds QMy son and I have been talking about long-term family financial security. He wrote the following and asked for my thoughts.

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NZ Herald 9 August 2025

mary — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:00:12 +0000

Why rental property is not a great retirement investment What about commercial property? How to handle money when husband going into care Help available for the retired Rule of 72 — when debt doubles QFrom Peter Lewis, vice president of New Zealand Property Investors Federation: Owning residential property in retirement remains a smart and resilient strategy, especially in the face of inflation...

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NZ Herald 2 August 2025

mary — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:00:55 +0000

KiwiSaver serious illness withdrawals not easy Are people doing KiwiSaver at expense of reducing their mortgage? Should homeowners’ mortgage interest be tax deductible? When choosing fund, choose lowest fees and what else? You can do KiwiSaver with more than one provider. Should you? Why rentals aren’t great in retirement List of KiwiSaver-exempt employers QI was diagnosed with a blood...

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NZ Herald 26 July 2025

mary — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:00:50 +0000

Should parents monitor older teens’ bank accounts? Pay down mortgage or save? Reader: Shares are not high-risk Am I a Boglehead? Low-fee funds winning for this family Can employer not do KiwiSaver? QShould parents be able to see their children’s bank account details once they become adults? We helped our two children set up accounts when they were around 14. We cannot see their...

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NZ Herald 19 July 2025

mary — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:00:44 +0000

Low-risk way to invest in rentals Another good way to invest in property, but … Easy way to give to charities KiwiSaver versus term deposits in retirement Big KiwiSaver fee savings, and getting risk right Best way to compare KiwiSaver fees QWhat are your thoughts? My dad, an accountant and 78 years old, has been a landlord coming up 55 years, and he’s never once talked about capital...

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NZ Herald 12 July 2025

mary — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:12 +0000

On benefits and inheritances Why share broker asks all those questions Charities make it too hard to give Landlords worse off than tenants? One landlord’s take on it all More landlords equal lower rents Thanks for running angry letter QI am sending this on behalf of my elderly parents (in their late 70s). My sister is mentally ill and on a sickness benefit. She is 50, and owns her own unit...

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NZ Herald 5 July 2025

mary — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:00:16 +0000

How rental market works in one apartment block … and in the whole economy Am I biased? And socialist? QI write regarding last week’s letter about landlords being charitable for too long and needing to raise rents. Landlords need to remember that their market is individuals with limits on what they can pay in rent. These individuals are also not a charity to support indigent landlords.

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NZ Herald 28 June 2025

mary — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:50 +0000

Should rents be increased? … or capped? KiwiSaver for teens No KiwiSaver winners in Budget? — but better rates rebates Home help for the elderly 2 letters on health insurance excesses Reverse mortgage on an apartment? QYour recent analysis rightly noted that owning a home often costs more than renting the same property, once all expenses are considered. This implies renting may be the more...

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