KiwiSaver bringing out the best in many
One aspect of KiwiSaver that I’m enjoying is the way people are helping one another understand it. This came through in several entries to our giveaway of my book “KiwiSaver: How to make it work for you.”
Entrants had to say in 40 words or less why they should win one of 30 copies of the book. Some wanted it book to help their children, some their parents and some their workmates.
One entry I particularly liked was from Anne Ringer of Raglan, as follows:
“We’re off to OZ,” — my Grandkids say,
“Enzed’s no good — we’ve got to go.”
Poor Grandma says, “Now wait awhile –
there’s vital news that you should know
about a scheme called KiwiSaver.”
Now the kids are all a-waver.
Then there’s Penny Muir of the Upper Hutt Citizens Advice Bureau, whose reasons for wanting the book are:
- to increase my understanding — I’ve already joined.
- to have it available for our 37 volunteers — many of whom are encouraging children and grandchildren to join.
- for a resource when answering queries from people in our community.
Sounds as if that copy will be well used.
Others had practical reasons for wanting the book. Fraser Fryer of Waikanae wants to save money by not having to go to the library. Mary Wilson of Reefton wants to avoid “having to cut your columns from the newspaper, only to lose them somewhere on my cluttered desk.” And Murray McDonald, also of Waikane, is “too Scottish to buy the book, but not too cheap to ask for a free one!”
Some, such as Dorothy Motoi of Christchurch, sound a bit desperate for information about KiwiSaver. Her entry:
I have less than four years to retirement. And I suffer severe caffeine and shoe addiction (but otherwise excellent health), which conspire to produce an inability to face the inevitability of aging and an expensive retirement.
Many entrants tried their hands at poetry. One of the best was by C. Anderson of Palmerston North:
There’s different KiwiSaver advice everywhere I look,
I’m bound to pick the plan that has the hidden hook,
Or otherwise, the manager, who proves to be the crook.
It’s no wonder that I really need your book!
And it’s hard to go past a limerick, like this one from Jo Newcombe Cook of Mount Maunganui.
There was a lady called Jo
She didn’t know which way to go
Kiwisaver or not
How to fill “old age pot”
Your book might help me to know.
Thanks to all the entrants — and for that matter to everyone who has bought the book, which is currently New Zealand’s top seller.
And congratulations to the following 30 winners, who will receive their books in the mail shortly:
C. Anderson, Palmerston North; Elliott Baxter, Waikanae; Richard Bentley, Hamilton; Sandy Caley, Whangarei; Richard Carey, Auckland; Kerry Clark, Christchurch; Reg Clothier, Paraparaumu Beach; C. Ennis, Christchurch; Frances Flanagan, Hokitika; Fraser Fryer, Waikanae; R. Greeks, Palmerston North; Rowan Hall, Wellington; Julie Julian, Hamilton; Dave Jones, Wellington; David Lumsden, Hamilton; James Mason, Wellington; Murray McDonald, Waikanae; Kim Minot, Wellington; Dorothy Motoi, Christchurch; Penny Muir, Upper Hutt; Jo Newcombe Cook, Mount Maunganui; Vanessa Palmer, Christchurch; Jim and Sue Parker, Lower Hutt; Anne Ringer, Raglan; Jane and Ian Robertson, Hamilton; Ellen Rodda, Lower Hutt; Helen Ross, Christchurch; Robyn Severinsen, Palmerston North; Ross St George, Palmerston North; and Mary Wilson, Reefton
No paywalls or ads — just generous people like you. All Kiwis deserve accurate, unbiased financial guidance. So let’s keep it free. Can you help? Every bit makes a difference.
Mary Holm is a freelance journalist, a director of Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL), a seminar presenter and a bestselling author on personal finance. From 2011 to 2019 she was a founding director of the Financial Markets Authority. Her opinions are personal, and do not reflect the position of any organisation in which she holds office. Mary’s advice is of a general nature, and she is not responsible for any loss that any reader may suffer from following it.