Why So Many Kiwis Feel Financially Uncertain

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself:

“Is this what I thought my life would look like by now?”

It’s a confronting question - but one worth asking. In my work as a financial planner, I see how many New Zealanders reach a point in life where they suddenly pause and take stock. The house, the kids, the career, the debt - and then that quiet voice asks: “Am I happy with where I’m at? What do I actually want my life to look like in the future?”

Life Has a Way of Shaking Things Up

You can have everything perfectly planned - the mortgage under control, the savings ticking along - and then something happens.

A pet gets sick.

A car accident.

A health scare.

A phone call about a parent who’s had a stroke or passed away.

In moments like these, everything that once felt steady can suddenly feel uncertain. That’s life - unpredictable and messy. But financial planning isn’t about eliminating uncertainty; it’s about building resilience so that when these moments come, you’re ready.

The Reality of Retirement for Many Kiwis

If you own your home outright and have access to the pension, you can often get by - just.

But what about those who don’t own their homes, or who still have large mortgages as they approach retirement?

This is becoming more common in New Zealand, and it’s a growing concern. Many people I speak to say, “We want to get our future sorted because we don’t want to end up like our parents - still renting or still paying off a mortgage in their 60s.”

It’s a powerful motivator. Seeing the financial challenges of the generation before us often sparks a deeper awareness - that if we want a different outcome, we have to make different choices.

The “U” Word: Uncertainty

There’s a lot of financial uncertainty in New Zealand right now - rising living costs, interest rate pressures, job insecurity, and a property market that feels unpredictable. It’s easy to feel like the ground is shifting under your feet.

But uncertainty doesn’t have to equal instability. The key is to have a plan - not a rigid one, but a flexible, living plan that adapts as life does.

Taking the Time to Pause and Reflect

Sometimes, the first step isn’t about spreadsheets or interest rates.

It’s simply taking a moment to pause and ask:

Am I happy with how things are tracking?

What do I want the next 5, 10, or 20 years to look like?

What would make me feel more financially secure and emotionally calm?

When you start there, clarity begins to build. From there, the numbers start to make sense - not the other way around.

The Bottom Line

Financial uncertainty is something we all face - but with awareness, planning, and support, it doesn’t have to control our lives.

So take a moment today to step back and ask yourself those big questions. Because financial freedom isn’t just about money - it’s about being in control of your choices, no matter what life throws your way.