The Adviser Talk

Robert Burns and KiwiSaver might seem worlds apart, but they share an interesting connection. Burns was known as the People's Poet, bringing the experiences of ordinary people into the conversation. KiwiSaver, centuries later, helped do something similar for investing by opening up opportunities that were once far less accessible to everyday New Zealanders. Brent connects the two in this episo...

Groceries are expensive, but are supermarkets really the problem? In our latest episode, Bruce and Tim explore New Zealand's supermarket duopoly, what we can learn from Chile's economic history, and why competition, regulation, and political decisions matter for investors and everyday Kiwis alike. Discover why the real issue may be bigger than supermarket shelves. (00:02:58) Are supermarke...

For more than 23 years, Stewart Group has partnered with Dimensional Fund Advisors to bring evidence-based investing to our clients. In this episode of The Adviser Talk, Rory sits down with Nathan to explore the Nobel Prize-winning minds behind Dimensional, the power of evidence-based investing and why innovation continues to drive better outcomes for investors today. (00:00:56) Welcome: Rory intr...

Turning 50 is not the finish line, it could be the most important financial planning milestone of all. In this episode, Nick shares why your 50s are the ideal time to take stock of your retirement plans, make course corrections where needed and ensure the next chapter of life is built on a strong foundation. The next few years can have a significant impact on your next 30. That's why having a plan...

For more than 20 years, Stewart Group and Dimensional Fund Advisors have shared a commitment to helping clients achieve better outcomes through evidence-based investing and long-term thinking. In this episode, Nick Stewart and Nathan Krieger reflect on the evolution of financial advice, innovation in investment management and why putting clients first remains at the heart of everything we do. (00:...

Is artificial intelligence really the next great technological revolution, or is it just another overhyped trend? In this episode Rory unpacks why GDP may not fully capture the value created by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. From the rapid adoption of AI to the lessons learned from previous technological breakthroughs he discusses how innovation changes businesses, creates new...

What do hunting in the bush and long-term investing have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of The Adviser Talk, Tim Ewen and Bruce Jenks explore how preparation, patience, awareness, and good judgement often matter more than chasing the perfect opportunity. Through an unexpected analogy, they unpack why successful investors focus on the journey, stay true to their plans, and le...

When markets wobble, should investors take action or stay the course? In this episode, Tim and Rory unpack the difference between market signal and market noise. From breaking news and social media panic to global events like the GFC, Covid and market crashes, they explain why emotional reactions can derail long term financial success and what investors should focus on instead.  (00:00:26) In...

Why do some IPOs create wealth, while others destroy it? And what can investors learn from the difference? In this episode, Tim and Nick take a closer look at both global and New Zealand IPO experiences, highlighting the contrast between stable, infrastructure backed investments and high growth, high risk ventures. The discussion reveals how timing, business fundamentals, and investor expectations...

When big employers leave a region, the ripple effects last generations. In this episode, we explore what happens when those risks are not modelled, not discussed, and not planned for at council level. A direct and local conversation on fiscal accountability, rising rates, and why households cannot absorb endless shocks. Time stamps: (00:00:01) Fiscal pressure and public demand for accountability (...

What can a World War I fighter pilot teach you about investing? The Red Baron built his success on discipline, structure, and stacking the odds in his favour, but lost everything in a single moment of emotion. In this episode, Tim and Nick explore how investors face the same temptations, and why diversification, low costs, liquidity, and rebalancing matter most when markets feel easy. Tune in for...

What happens when a “sure thing” goes spectacularly wrong? In this episode of AdviserTalk, Tim and Nick unpack Scotland’s disastrous Darien Scheme, a moment when an entire nation bet its future on a single idea. Through this powerful historical story, they explore why high conviction often leads to dangerous concentration, how households repeat the same mistake today, and why resilience, diversifi...

Why do so many investors stick with strategies that feel right, even when the evidence says otherwise? In this episode of Adviser Talk, Tim and Nick use Plato’s allegory of the cave to explain why chasing hot funds, star managers, and market timing is so hard to let go of. They unpack the latest New Zealand SPIVA data, explore how psychology and media keep investors stuck in the shadows, and expla...

Lost super, KiwiSaver myths, and smarter investing explained simply. In this revisit episode from May 2024, Paula Intercot joins Adviser Talk to discuss transferring Australian super to New Zealand, choosing the right KiwiSaver approach for your life stage, and how complementary investment options can support your financial goals. Paula breaks down the often-overlooked process of transferring Aust...

For many farming families, the Fonterra payout is more than cash. It is a strategy moment. In this episode, we unpack why real returns matter, how diversification beyond the farm gate builds resilience, and why independent advice early can change outcomes for decades. (00:00:15) Intro: Fonterra capital return and why this is a major strategy moment for farming families (00:01:58) First reaction to...

DIY investing is easier than ever, with ETFs and online platforms giving many New Zealanders confidence to manage their own portfolios. Returns can look strong, and progress can feel real, but this episode asks a critical question: Are you actually building wealth once tax is taken into account? Rory and Tim explore the gap between gross returns and what you keep after tax. They unpack bracket cre...

When ideology replaces analysis, the locusts arrive. From sparrow eradication to interest rate shocks, Nick draws parallels between Mao’s disastrous Four Pests Campaign and modern Kiwi property investing. Rising interest rates, disappearing equity, and the danger of doubling down on beliefs instead of data. If you own property or plan to, this conversation matters. Time stamps: (00:00:00) Intro: F...

From bright fishing lures to bold financial claims, this episode reveals why some private offers look irresistible and how retail investors get pulled into high-risk waters without realising it. Tim and Nick shed light on wholesale certifications, liquidity traps, and explore how behavioural biases like greed and familiarity are exploited. Find out the questions every investor should ask before th...

Life never follows a straight financial line. In this episode, Tim and Rory explore why real money decisions zigzag, how emotion shapes financial choices, and why unexpected twists are a normal part of building long-term resilience. From market dips to surprise expenses at home, they unpack how to create a financial plan that bends with real life rather than breaking under pressure. (00:00:17) Epi...

In this special Waitangi edition of The Adviser Talk, Tim and Nick explore what a 149-year journey toward resolution can teach us about how we show up in our financial lives today. Drawing on the remarkable story of Ngāi Tahu, they uncover how generations carried the weight of grievance, how internal division weakened an otherwise formidable iwi, and how unity, pragmatism and forward thinking ulti...

Thinking of ditching insurance for a DIY 'stash away the premiums' approach? Self-insurance sounds smart, but is it really? In this episode, Tim and Nick unpack why skipping cover can backfire, the behavioural biases that trip us up, and why integrating risk management into your financial plan is essential for long-term security. (00:00:00) Intro: What is self-insurance and why it sounds appealing...

What do you consider your biggest asset, and is it covered? Featuring Tim Ewan, Risk Insurance Manager at Stewart Group, we discuss the significance of income protection insurance for New Zealanders, the limitations of ACC, and the roles of different types of personal insurance. Tim explains why income protection is vital, how trauma and TPD cover work, the impact of non-accidental conditions, and...

Are we really as wealthy as the headlines claim? New Zealand recently ranked fifth globally in per capita wealth—but is that just an illusion? In this episode, Tim and Nick unpack why so much of our “wealth” is tied up in property, what that means for financial security, and practical steps to build resilience beyond bricks and mortar. (00:00:00) Intro: Are we really the fifth-wealthiest nation, o...

Is wisdom really worth 4.52%? In this episode, Tim and Rory unpack the true value of advice. Russell Investments recently quantified the value financial advisers bring to New Zealand investors at 4.52%, Rory breaks down the “price of wisdom” and explores the real benefits that extend far beyond portfolio performance. (00:00:43) What’s in the 4.52%: asset allocation, customised planning, and behavi...

Are yesterday’s market champions tomorrow’s winners? History says not likely. Driving the discussion: Financial advisor Bruce Jenks warns investors against concentrating portfolios in these high-performing stocks, despite the fear of missing out. While these companies benefit from AI-driven productivity gains, past market leaders like ExxonMobil and Chevron have shown that dominance doesn't last f...