Government assistance – Mary Holm

NZ Herald 20 December 2025

mary — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:00:47 +0000

How to keep inheritance out of relationship property 2 Q&As on living in a retirement village What’s wrong with so many New Zealanders? See you next year — and tips on getting your letter published QI read with interest your response last week to the student who has inherited a large sum of money at 22, as it mirrors the situation my two brothers and I faced when we were in our twenties.

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NZ Herald 27 September 2025

mary — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:00:42 +0000

Money long ago forgotten Couple in 70s should sell bach and live it up! Avoid dud funds in and out of KiwiSaver Aftermath of a fund closing down Bank acknowledges complaints QI was in business for about 25 years. During that time several people owed me money, either having borrowed it or been told by the courts that they had to pay it. Some debtors were very good at repaying their borrowings.

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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 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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RNZ Radio 3 July 2025

mary — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:10:29 +0000

KiwiSaver at the start Bad changes — National-led governments Good changes — Labour-led governments 2025 Budget changes — winners and losers Easy way to do hard quiz question Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary. You can listen to these sessions as podcasts. Subscribe free to Mary’s RNZ podcast here. No paywalls or ads — just generous people like you.

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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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NZ Herald 21 June 2025

mary — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:00:36 +0000

A different investment for retirement How costs of care affect retirement savings … … And one couple’s experience The Stock Picking Game QAlternative investments — and I don’t mean crypto, gold, vintage cars or whisky! As I spent the afternoon bottling fruit from my trees, I was feeling grateful, and happy for the abundance in my life. Then I started to think about the...

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NZ Herald 7 June 2025

mary — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:00:03 +0000

You’ve done well, but don’t lose compassion Spending seems to rise in retirement? Living on NZ Super — with plan for health costs Not Planning on Home Ownership QAs immigrants, we had to start all over again, with two preschoolers. Money was spent within our means, no fast food and junk, just wholesome meals and an annual holiday as a meaningful treat. It was boring, and a lot of will...

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NZ Herald 31 May 2025

mary — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:00:09 +0000

Another good reason to get children into KiwiSaver KiwiSaver works well in retirement Keep life insurance for ex? Gold has seen big losses as well as gains One way to plan savings in retirement QAs a grandparent of five, aged between 4 and 10, I have opened a Sharesies account in the Smart US Large Growth ETF fund for each of them, investing a very small regular amount each month.

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RNZ Radio 22 May 2025

mary — Thu, 22 May 2025 03:15:30 +0000

Changes to employer and employee contributions — and how to avoid them if you wish Government contributions halved No government money if you earn more than $180,000 Good news for 16 and 17-year-olds — tell them about it! Assessment: Bad for self-employed and not employed, and employees pay for their own gains Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary.

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