Investing like it’s 1996

You are an investor with a long-term investment horizon. What if I could tell you that the next 30 years would contain:

 - A significant currency crisis
 - At least one global pandemic, and several other major global health threats
 - A global financial crisis
 - Several new wars and scores of significant armed conflicts
 - An escalation in global terrorism events
 - Economic trade wars
If crystal balls worked, that’s what we would have been able to tell an investor in 1996. So, what should they have done with that information?

MacDonald Wealth Autumn Update

While the last several years have seen many international share markets delivering strong double-digit investment returns, the first three months of 2026 saw most markets taking a small step backwards.

Market declines can happen at any time, but the primary headwind this quarter was linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The case for a strategic allocation to New Zealand shares

A tale of two decades

New Zealand shares have experienced both strong and challenging periods over the past decade and a half.

From around 2011 through to 2020, New Zealand was one of the stronger performing share markets in the developed world. Investors with meaningful allocations to local companies were well rewarded and portfolios with higher exposure to New Zealand shares compared favourably to more globally diversified portfolios.

More recently, that has changed.

Staying Steady in Uncertain Times: Practical Tips for Life and Money

From global events to changing interest rates here in New Zealand, periods of uncertainty can feel unsettling. Markets move, headlines turn negative, and it’s completely natural to feel concerned about what it all means for your finances and your future.

The reality is, while we can’t control what’s happening around us, we can control how we respond—both emotionally and financially. The key is to stay grounded, avoid reactive decisions, and focus on what really matters over the long term.

Here are some simple, practical strategies to help you stay steady during turbulent times.

3 Lessons from Investing’s “Moneyball” Moment

Michael Jensen, then an economist at the University of Rochester, used the data to analyze individual fund performance between 1945 and 1964. He found that individual mutual funds were unable, on average, to outperform a strategy that simply bought and held a marketwide portfolio. In fact, there was scant evidence that any individual fund delivered better returns than you’d expect by random chance.

After 100 years of data, the story has stayed the same. Only more so. Stock returns compounded at about 10% per year over the full century.

What does this mean for average investors? 

A look back at when the world feared the worst

When the Market Siren Sounds, Will You Know What to Do?

As a kid growing up in Kansas, we regularly did tornado drills in school. When the siren sounded, we’d rush downstairs into the auditorium and huddle in its southwest corner, because tornadoes in Kansas tend to move northeast. After a few minutes of hunkering down, we’d head back to class. Nobody particularly loved those tornado drills, but everyone understood why they mattered.

How sunlight helps you stay healthy

he sun’s rays have received something of a bad rap in recent years, especially here in New Zealand. Yet the truth is that without it, we simply couldn’t survive. And, let’s face it, we wouldn’t even be here in the first place.

Yes, from helping plants to grow to keeping us warm, sunlight is an absolute essential for life. Not to mention a welcome feeling on the skin, and a positive health boon too. But before we delve into just how sunlight is beneficial to our overall health and wellness, let’s tackle the big elephant in the room – our modern-day aversion to it.

The top 3 ways money probably didn’t make you happy in 2025… and the 3 ways it might in 2026

You’ve probably heard the saying, “money can’t buy happiness.” But for most of us it achieves something almost as valuable: it buys peace of mind.

Research consistently shows that financial stress is a common part of everyday life. With ongoing pressure from living costs and economic uncertainty, many households regularly worry about money, with around 70% of New Zealanders saying they’re concerned about money daily, weekly or monthly

MacDonald Wealth Summer Update

Following a volatile but generally profitable first three quarters of the year, the majority of markets delivered further gains over the final three months of 2025.

International share markets provided the strongest gains, with the New Zealand and Australian share markets taking a back seat over the quarter. Similarly, with global interest rates having receded from their post-Covid peaks, returns from fixed income assets delivered in line with expectations – moderately positive.

Protecting Your Business: Key Person Insurance for SMEs

Many SME owners in New Zealand already protect their physical assets – insuring things like buildings, vehicles, and equipment. But few stop to think about protecting against the loss of their most valuable asset of all: their people.

Prostate Cancer in New Zealand: Why Insurance Matters More Than Ever

1 in 8 Kiwi men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. For many, that stat hits close to home; almost everyone knows a father, brother, husband, or friend who has faced the disease.

While survival rates are improving thanks to earlier detection and better treatments, the journey can still be long, stressful, and financially challenging. That’s where having the right insurance makes all the difference.

What to know about changes to KiwiSaver

The 2025 KiwiSaver changes to know about:

Younger members are now included: People aged 16 and 17 now qualify for government contributions (if they meet other eligibility requirements). Previously, you had to be 18 or older.
The government’s contribution has halved: The annual government KiwiSaver contribution has reduced by 50% – dropping from $521.43 to $260.72 per year.
High earners no longer qualify: Anyone earning over $180,000 of taxable income in a year is no longer eligible for government contributions.

While the above KiwiSaver changes have already been implemented (they took effect on 1 July 2025) there are still more changes to come, including the phased introduction of increased default KiwiSaver rates.

How managed funds can help achieve your financial goals

When it comes to investing for your future, managed funds can be a very smart strategy. The managed fund you’ll be most familiar with is KiwiSaver. Using a managed fund can help you achieve your long-term goals like saving for a house deposit, or towards your retirement. We outline the advantages of managed funds, along with a few finer details that are worth thinking through before you commit.

Life Insurance or Trauma Cover – Should you consider one, or both?

When you’re considering protecting against the ‘worst-case scenarios,’ Life and Trauma insurance might be options that you’ve thought about. We’re making it easy to understand what type of cover these insurance options provide. As we share, some people might decide to select one of these insurance types. For others, they might prefer to have both.

Let’s start with the differences between Life and Trauma insurance. While they both offer essential protection, the circumstances when you might rely on them are quite different.

Self-Insurance: The In’s and Outs

Self-insurance is a financial strategy often misunderstood and surrounded by misconceptions. Many believe it’s only for the wealthy, because they have the funds available if needed, or that it means having no protection at al

Why younger people shouldn’t delay in getting health insurance

When you’re young and healthy, insurance might be the last thing on your mind. It’s easy to focus on the here and now - your studies, your career, your next trip. But here’s the thing: getting health insurance (and other personal cover) early is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. In fact, putting it off could cost you far more than you realise.

In times of uncertainty, investors with a plan should stick with the plan

Over the past few days as global politics create uncertainty and global share markets have responded, I thought it would be good to reflect on markets and provide some perspective on what is happening and as investors, what can or should we do about it, especially when it comes to our investments & KiwiSaver funds.

The longer I’ve been in this industry, the more my perspective on market downturns—corrections, recessions, and the like—has evolved.

Financial Planning for Your Retirement

Planning for retirement is a crucial step toward ensuring financial security in your later years. A key part of this process is determining your "retirement number"—the amount of savings required to maintain your desired lifestyle.

Understanding this number helps shape your savings strategy and investment decisions, guiding you toward a comfortable and secure retirement.