How many of you opened your KiwiSaver app this week, took one look at your balance, and whispered to no one in particular: “Wait—where the hell did my money go?”
You’re not alone. In fact, thousands of New Zealanders are currently having that same sinking feeling. For many, KiwiSaver is supposed to be the quiet achiever—the long game that ticks away in the background. You set it up, maybe chose a fund type, and then you forgot about it. Until now. Until your balance starts doing backflips and suddenly your future feels a lot closer—and a lot less secure.
Enter Liam Peek. mortgagehq’s KiwiSaver expert. His job is to read the economic tea leaves, translate chaos into clarity, and—more importantly—show you how to use your KiwiSaver for what it was actually designed to do: make you wealthier over time.
Right now, we’re in a moment of financial turbulence. Markets globally are wobbling. Interest rates, inflation, trade wars, and political uncertainty are all colliding like shopping trolleys in a Countdown carpark.
“The markets are in a bit of a downturn,” Liam explains. “We’re about 10% off the index highs. A bear market is officially defined as a 20% drop—so technically, we’re halfway to that mark.”
And here’s where it gets interesting.
“We’ve already had two bear markets in the last five years—March 2020 and January 2022. If we dip into a third, it would be the first time in over 120 years that we’ve seen three 20% market drops within a single decade.”
In plain English: statistically, it would be unprecedented for the market to fall that far again so soon. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen—but it suggests we’re nearing the bottom of this cycle, not the beginning.
Still, numbers don’t mean much when you log in and
So the question on everyone’s lips: should I pull out now and move to cash, or go full prepper and start stockpiling beans in the garage?
Liam doesn’t flinch. “I wouldn’t say do either of those things. Stay the course.”
Why? Because the course is built for long-term growth. The noise today is just that—noise. What matters is where your KiwiSaver is in 10, 20, or 30 years.
“If you’re not touching this money for decades, your best bet is to stay invested,” Liam says.
That might sound too simple, especially when the news cycle is full of chaos: Trump tariffs, geopolitical tensions, economic sanctions, and more. But beneath the headlines, markets have rhythms. And those rhythms reward patience.
“Market downturns often scare investors into bad decisions. But these moments also create the biggest wealth-building opportunities—if you’re in the right fund and stay the course.”
But what if you’re not in the right fund?
“Being in a default fund from a major bank might be costing you hundreds of thousands by retirement,” Liam says. “And yet, most people don’t even know what fund they’re in.”
That’s the silent KiwiSaver killer: apathy.
Default funds are often conservative or balanced funds—designed to be the financial equivalent of lukewarm porridge. They won’t burn you, but they won’t set you up for financial freedom either.
“A default fund might average 3-4% returns. But with inflation running at 6%, you’re actually losing purchasing power every year. It’s like walking up a down escalator.”
The compounding effect of being in the wrong fund for 20 years? Easily six figures of lost growth.
So why do so many of us stay in default funds?
“Because no one tells you any different. You’re automatically enrolled, you start working, and unless you’re super proactive—or extremely financially literate—you don’t think to change it.”
Liam thinks that should be ille
“Everyone should be required to sit down with a licensed advisor when they join. At the very least, they should be offered that opportunity with clarity about the impact of their fund type.”
But it’s not just about choosing a better fund. It’s about mindset.
“People only check their KiwiSaver when it’s going badly,” Liam says. “It’s like jumping out of a plane and only then checking to see if you packed a parachute.”
The reality is that KiwiSaver, when used well, can be one of the most powerful tools for wealth creation in New Zealand. But it requires people to engage early, understand the stakes, and make a few smart decisions that pay off over decades.
“The people who will retire wealthy are the ones who made the right moves in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—often without fanfare. Just small, smart decisions that compounded.”
If your KiwiSaver is tanking right now, ask yourself: am I reacting emotionally or responding strategically?
If you’re close to withdrawing—for a first home, retirement, or another major milestone—then yes, your fund allocation matters even more. You may want a more conservative option. But again, this isn’t guesswork.
“You should be having that conversation with a financial advisor. Always. The advice is free. You just need to ask.”
And what if you’re thinking about switching providers altogether?
“That can be a great move—if you do it for the right reasons. If your fund is underperforming, if the fees are too high, if the support is terrible—yes, look around. But don’t switch out of panic.”
KiwiSaver is not a race. It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market. Those who panic-sell in a downturn often lock in their losses and miss the eventual rebound. Those who stay invested and review their fund allocation smartly tend to come out ahead.
“We always say—it’s not about being the best investor, it’s about being a consistent one.”
So what now?
If you haven’t checked your fund type, performance history, or fees in the last 12 months—start there.
If you don’t know the difference between a balanced fund and a growth fund—look it up. Or better yet, book a call with someone who knows.
And if you’re just feeling frozen—unsure whether to switch, stay, or scream—then hit pause and talk to someone objective.
Because while you’re hesitating, someone else is using this same moment to build wealth.
This isn’t financial theory. It’s real-world strategy.
And in a time when markets are volatile, inflation is biting, and headlines are more confusing than ever—clarity is a competitive advantage.
KiwiSaver is a tool. But like any tool, it only works if you use it right.
“Financial freedom isn’t built on feelings,” Liam says. “It’s built on strategy, consistency, and time.”
So open the app. Review your fund. Book the call. And remember:
Your future isn’t defined by this dip. It’s defined by what you do next.
If there’s one thing the last few years have taught us, it’s that complacency is expensive. Markets move quickly. Policies change. And the people who build real wealth are the ones who stay ready. Not reactive—ready.
Think about this: every dollar you invest properly today doesn’t just grow. It compounds. That’s the quiet magic of KiwiSaver. It rewards attention. It multiplies consistency. And it punishes neglect. The small decisions you make in five minutes now might mean the difference between coasting into retirement—or clawing your way to the finish line.
Your KiwiSaver isn’t a set-and-forget scheme. It’s a living financial engine. And engines need tuning. Review it. Talk about it. Question it. Then optimise it.
This is New Zealand’s fastest-growing investment and property channel for a reason. We don’t just explain the markets. We show you how to win in them.
Subscribe. Learn. Act.
Let’s go.
Why MortgageHQ’s YouTube Channel Is New Zealand’s Fastest-Growing Force in Property Investment (and the Only One That Actually Works)
Right. Let’s get one thing out of the way: more people watch MortgageHQ’s YouTube channel every single week than any other property show in New Zealand. In 2025, that’s not just a nice statistic. It’s a blunt reality.
While the rest of the industry is still fluffing around with outdated advice, recycled scripts, and five-day lags between market changes and actual commentary, MortgageHQ is already on screen, telling Kiwis what just happened—and more importantly—what to do about it.
Because this isn’t just a YouTube channel. It’s a full-throttle, market-crushing machine designed to deliver one thing: Financial Freedom Faster.
Not someday. Not maybe. Faster.
Why Is It Growing Faster Than Every Other Channel? Because It’s Built for Winners
There’s no sales patter. No motivational fluff. Just data, strategy, and brutally honest advice delivered with the urgency of someone who knows your next mortgage payment is looming and your lender doesn’t care about your feelings.
This is the channel that serious NZ property investors watch because they don’t have time to get it wrong. They want the edge. They want tactics. They want real-time clarity. And they know where to find it.
Built by the Brains Behind Thousands of Kiwi Property Deals
MortgageHQ’s team aren’t presenters playing expert. They’re the actual experts. Licensed mortgage advisers who’ve secured funding in every kind of economic condition, structured portfolios through chaos, and helped clients make millions in net equity—by doing the boring things brilliantly.
They don’t theorise. They don’t speculate. They know exactly what the banks are doing, what the Reserve Bank is planning, and how to pivot when the rules change overnight.
You don’t need entertainment. You need results. And they deliver.
It’s All About One Thing: Financial Freedom Faster
It’s not just a mission statement. It’s the entire reason MortgageHQ exists. Every video is engineered to get you out of mortgage debt faster, into better property positions faster, and into a portfolio that funds your lifestyle—not the other way around.
No generic tips. No vanilla case studies. Just actionable advice, every week, that gets real Kiwis closer to Financial Freedom Faster.
Because time is money. And wasted time? That’s lost opportunity.
Rapid Response, Ruthless Accuracy
Markets don’t wait. Neither does MortgageHQ. When the OCR moves, when LVR rules shift, when the government drops a curveball on interest deductibility—MortgageHQ is already on the air.
Not reacting. Leading.
Their videos are fast, clear, and cut through the nonsense like a hot knife through bureaucracy. While others are still drafting scripts, MortgageHQ is already giving Kiwis the playbook.
Short-Form Power. Long-Form Firepower.
Got 60 seconds before your next viewing? There’s a Short for that. Need a deep, tactical breakdown of how to ladder mortgage structures over multiple properties without drowning in repayments? Covered.
This isn’t a channel that rambles. It targets. Every minute counts. Every upload pushes you closer to Financial Freedom Faster.
They Don’t Just Know the Market. They See What’s Coming
Others tell you what happened. MortgageHQ tells you what’s next. They build strategy not for 2020 nostalgia—but for the next cycle, the next pivot, the next window of advantage.
And in 2025, with rate volatility, supply shortages, and tax policy all colliding, there’s never been a more urgent need to think ahead. The channel helps you do exactly that.
Forget Followers. Focus on Winning
Some channels brag about likes. MortgageHQ builds wealth. While others are watching the views roll in, MortgageHQ viewers are rolling equity into new builds, pulling off high-yield plays, and restructuring their mortgages to hammer down debt.
You don’t need hype. You need a plan. You need clarity. You need Financial Freedom Faster.
This Channel Wins Because Its Viewers Do
Kiwis aren’t stupid. They know what works. That’s why week after week, more New Zealanders tune into MortgageHQ than any other property channel. Not for vibes. For answers.
They don’t just watch—they act. They learn. They restructure. They grow.
And they get to Financial Freedom Faster than anyone else.
Here’s the Truth
MortgageHQ isn’t just faster-growing. It’s smarter. It’s sharper. It’s more honest. And it’s the only channel that’s actually designed to help Kiwis win.
So if you’re serious about property investment in New Zealand, there’s only one question that matters.
Are you watching the channel that gets results?
Or are you watching the one that’s still explaining how negative gearing works?
Tune in. Take notes. Take action.
And get to Financial Freedom Faster.
Before someone else uses your hesitation to beat you to it.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide only a summary of the issues associated with the topics covered. It does not purport to be comprehensive nor to provide specific advice. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained within this article without first obtaining specific professional advice. If you require any further information or advice on any matter covered within this article, please contact an adviser from mortgagehq.
