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Middle East escalations: what might it mean for financial markets?

02/03/2026

The weekend strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel have added another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile global environment. Shamubeel discusses what the latest developments could mean for oil, financial markets and investors.

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Recent updates

What's driving inflation this time?

Published 21/07/2025

The cost of living's climbing again, but not for the same reasons. Shamubeel unpacks what’s driving the latest inflation, why it feels different, and what it means for your money.

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Why changing KiwiSaver for farmers is a bad idea

Published 11/06/2025

A new proposal out today to allowing farmers to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first farm. While it might seem like the existing first home withdrawal, this change is problematic, for a number of reasons.

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Budget 2025: Changes ahead for KiwiSaver

Published 22/05/2025

KiwiSaver is getting a shake-up - including higher contribution rates, reduced government incentives, and expanded access for younger members. Shamubeel explains what’s changing and how to prepare.

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Job losses find a floor, but recovery yet to begin

Published 07/05/2025

Latest employment data shows signs of stabilisation, it’s good to see a floor forming in job losses. But it’s not all plain sailing: the share of Kiwis in work has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

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OCR cut is a good start, but NZ must do more

Published 09/04/2025

The Reserve Bank has cut the OCR to 3.5%, but more action is needed. With the risks to the global economy rising, NZ must act decisively to protect jobs, growth, and stability.

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Liberation Day - What the latest US tariffs mean for NZ

Published 03/04/2025

USA ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs have been announced - which may or may not be changed or reversed as negotiating chips. Shamubeel Eaqub's back-of-the-envelope calculations show that this adds up to a 26.5% increase in US import costs. But what does...

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Navigating uncertainty - what market volatility means for you

Published 06/03/2025

Equity markets are finally reflecting increased political and policy uncertainty from a Trump government in the US. Kiwis will likely see this reflected in their KiwiSaver balances, but while volatility can be unsettling, focusing on long-term savings is key.

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The OCR cut: Ongoing risks and reasons for optimism

Published 19/02/2025

The Reserve Bank New Zealand (RBNZ) reduced the official cash rate (OCR) by 0.5% points to 3.75%. The lowest since late 2022. This is good news – it will spur economic recovery through the middle of the year.

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First salvos fired in new trade war

Published 03/02/2025

The US has imposed major tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, triggering global economic uncertainty. The latest commentary from the Simplicity Research Hub explores how these trade policies could impact New Zealand—through currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, and weakened exports.

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