Kia ora koutou and welcome to our quarterly update.
It’s been a fulfilling quarter with meaningful progress continuing across our shared work.
A particular highlight has been the progress in financial education in schools, with the release of new Financial Education Implementation Guides to support both providers and teachers to plan and deliver high-quality learning as financial education becomes compulsory in the curriculum.
I welcome the recent announcement of David Boyle as the incoming Retirement Commissioner. David will take on the role from 18 May 2026. Having previously worked for the Commission and remaining a staunch supporter of our work since, I look forward to seeing the leadership he will bring to the role.
We’re now in the final planning stages for the National Strategy Conference, with a packed programme set to inspire and build momentum for the work ahead. It will also be a fantastic opportunity for you all to connect with and hear from David in his first official outing.
In this quarter we released the 2025 National Strategy annual report, reflecting on what we’ve achieved and setting out priorities for the year ahead.
Another key step forward has been the launch of a new Community of Practice for financial wellbeing researchers, alongside a refreshed shared resource hub. Together, these create a clearer place to connect, learn from one another, and share what’s working well.
And in this update we share an example of the practical impact of our work on the ground with an inspiring new Sorted Kāinga Ora case study, which shows how tailored tools and support can tangibly lift financial outcomes. We have been focused on strengthening our communications and resources across our financial capability programmes this quarter, both in workplaces and communities, so it is brilliant to see the real-life outcomes these programmes can achieve.
As I reflect on my time as Commissioner, I want to thank you all for your ongoing support, partnership, and commitment to improving financial wellbeing for New Zealanders. It has been a highly rewarding six years and the Commission is well-positioned to lead strategic discussions on how to maintain and improve a retirement income system that benefits all New Zealanders.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing engagement and your commitment to improving financial wellbeing for New Zealanders.
Jane Wrightson, Mana Ahungarua/Retirement Commissioner
Welcoming the incoming Retirement Commissioner
We’re delighted to welcome David Boyle as the incoming Retirement Commissioner. David will take up the role in May 2026, bringing a strong track record in KiwiSaver and financial wellbeing issues along with a deep understanding of the Commission’s purpose and the people we serve.
Many of you will know David from his earlier work with the Commission and more recent role as General Manager KiwiSaver at Fisher Funds. We look forward to working with him and with you to continue strengthening the National Strategy for Financial Capability and improving financial wellbeing for New Zealanders.
Countdown to the 2026 National Strategy Conference
With only a month to go until the National Strategy Conference 2026, we are looking forward to welcoming you all for an action-packed two days in Auckland. If you missed it, we have announced our breakfast sessions, designed to bring fresh perspectives and give you a chance to be part of the national conversation on strengthening financial wellbeing.
If you’re planning to attend haven’t yet, purchase your ticket now. There are only a small number of tickets left.
Looking back on the quarter
Acknowledging the work of outgoing Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson
As we prepare to farewell our outgoing Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson, the team at Te Ara Ahunga Ora want to acknowledge the leadership, clarity, and commitment she has brought to the organisation over the past six years. Jane has been a strong advocate for improving financial wellbeing for all New Zealanders, and has helped strengthen the National Strategy through her focus on sector-wide collaboration, practical progress, and evidence-informed action.
New guides give schools clear pathway for implementing financial education
Schools and financial education providers now have access to new Financial Education Implementation Guides, giving them practical support to plan and deliver high-quality financial education as it becomes compulsory in the curriculum.
With 70% of New Zealanders agreeing school is a good place for young people to learn about money, the two guides, developed by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Education and financial education providers, provide a clear roadmap for what to teach, when to teach it, and how learning builds from Years 0 to 13. This is the first time curriculum-linked guidance like this has been developed in New Zealand for all financial education providers, both current and future.
Te Ara Ahunga Ora represents New Zealand on the OECD's International Network on Financial Education and PISA groups. We have taken regular opportunities to share the development of Financial Education in New Zealand and provided a presentation to senior policy analysts on 13 January.
As a result, there is strong interest in our approach to partnership, which brings together private providers, banks, and non-profit organisations alongside the Ministry of Education, with the Commission serving as the central conduit. There is clear interest in New Zealand's approach internationally, particularly around the pace of progress and the potential for meaningful impact measurement.
National Strategy 2025 annual report released
We’re pleased to share the National Strategy for Financial Capability 2025 Annual Report, marking the end of Year One of the three-year Strategy.
The report reflects progress across the Strategy’s four goals, highlights key milestones achieved with partners, and outlines priorities and upcoming work for 2026 including pilots, shared tools, and coordinated sector activity to keep lifting financial wellbeing for people and whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand.
April KiwiSaver changes: Sorted tool updated to show impact on future balances
From 1 April 2026, new KiwiSaver settings came into effect, increasing the amount going into members’ accounts and helping younger workers get a head start. These changes follow updates announced in Budget 2025 and have been explained for members on Sorted.
- Default employee contribution rate increased from 3% to 3.5% (if you’re already contributing above the default, your rate stays the same).
- Default employer contribution rate increased from 3% to 3.5% for employees on the default rate.
- Temporary rate reduction option is available for people who need to stay at 3% for a period (for example, if budgets are tight).
- More support for younger members: eligible 16- and 17-year-olds now qualify for employer contributions from 1 April 2026 (and are already eligible for the annual government contribution under the earlier changes).
Looking ahead, the default contribution rates are scheduled to lift again to 4% from 1 April 2028. In the meantime, Sorted’s KiwiSaver calculator has been updated to reflect the new settings so people can see what the changes could mean for their long-term savings.
Financial Wellbeing Researchers’ Community of Practice launched
This quarter we established the Financial Wellbeing Researchers’ Community of Practice, a national forum to bring together organisations and individuals involved in financial wellbeing research. The Community meets quarterly and provides a platform for collaboration, shared learning, and better coordination of research efforts.
If you have new research that you would like to share or are interested in finding out more about the Community of Practice and getting involved, please get in touch with our Research Lead Dr Jo Gamble.
Shared Resource Hub refreshed
We’ve taken our partners’ feedback onboard and made accessing the Resource Hub easier with no sign in and the ability to access it directly from the National Strategy website. Here you’ll find trusted national and international research, insights, and resources supporting financial wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Sorted in Schools resources for kura
Sorted in Schools has released brand-new te reo Māori financial education resources for teachers. The new resources are designed to make financial learning easy and engaging and are explicitly aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum.
A whānau journey to homeownership with Sorted Kāinga Ora
At the start of 2024, Indigo Phillips, Te Arawa, Waikato-Tainui, decided enough was enough. “That’s it,” she recalls thinking. “I don’t want to keep paying someone else’s mortgage.” A single mother of three, Indigo says it was perfect timing when she learned about the Sorted Kāinga Ora programme while browsing an email from Waikato-Tainui.
Growing the Sorted Kāinga Ora network
On 10–11 March, the Sorted Kāinga Ora facilitator training was hosted by Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa (TRoK) in Kirikiriroa. Thirty-four facilitators attended and heard from a range of speakers including Kiwibank, the Commission, Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) and TRoK. The programme provided a focused forum for vibrant kōrero and for strengthening both longstanding and new connections in a supportive learning environment, as well as supporting the used of shared impact measures as part of the programme.
What’s coming up
Sorted Money Month
It’s nearly that time again! Money Month is coming up in August and we’d love to have you involved.
We’ll also be running the Money Month Community Fund again this year, with applications opening in May. The theme will once again focus on emergency funds, supporting communities to build a buffer and feel more prepared for life’s unexpected costs. A stakeholder kit will be available soon to help you plan and share Money Month activities.
Dates for your calendar
National Strategy for Financial Capability Conference - Auckland
26-27 May 2026
Sorted Money Month
August 2026