Maxim Sherstobitov - Financial Adviser

26/08/2026

NZX 50 hits a new record high 📈 How are you allocating between NZ shares, ASX and global equities right now?

Looking at the 1-year charts, the NZX 50 is up around 8.29%, while the ASX 200 has gained 2.86%. Despite some challenging economic headlines on both sides of the Tasman, NZ shares have outpaced Australian large-caps over the past 12 months.

For those holding Australasian equities in your portfolio or KiwiSaver, how are you balancing your exposure between NZ and Australia right now? Or are you mainly sticking with broader global funds?

11/08/2026

NZ property myth busted? Check this buy vs. rent comparison over 30 years. An Auckland first-home buyer scenario from economist Shamubeel Eaqub shows the renter ending up with $2.83m in investments vs the homeowner’s $2.1m house after 30 years. A $724k difference under current assumptions (3% house growth, 5% mortgage, investing the difference at 5.4%).

Would you still buy, or does this change how you see renting long-term?

13/07/2026

Spent Matariki recharging down in Rotorua 🌟
This time of year is the perfect excuse to look back at the last 12 months and figure out what’s next. Honestly, a simple plan makes everything so much easier!
Review what’s worked (and what did not) with your investments, set 3 clear goals, and chat with your partner or family to get everyone on the same page. Enjoy the fresh start! 🌿✨

30/06/2026

Now that Kiwis are staying away from debt, do you think people will focus more on investing? If you have any spare cash right now, are you paying off debt or putting it into investments?

Improvement in arrears but serious financial pressure remains for some households.

05/05/2026

ASB Bank is launching a new share investing platform with both a mobile app and a desktop version. Are you excited about this? What features would you like to see? More details are her https://www.asb.co.nz/asb-securities/share-central.html

05/05/2026

If your investments are heavily weighted towards New Zealand, the 0.5% return might be surprising when compared to global market averages. Do you check your asset allocation? Always remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results.

24/04/2026

If you aim for a comfortable retirement in a metro area, likely spending for a couple is around $1,740 per week. With NZ Super currently paying about $800 after tax, you face a weekly shortfall of roughly $940. Bridging this gap could require savings of over $1 million, according to Massey University estimates.

Even a basic no frills lifestyle in a metro area for a couple still needs around $120,000 in additional savings beyond Super. Provincial households vary, but the gap exists right across the board.

PRACTICAL TIPS
✅ Check your KiwiSaver contribution rate. The minimum is 3.5%, but 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% are all available options. Even a 1% or 2% increase today can make a material difference over a 20 to 30 year savings horizon.

✅ Claim your full government contribution. If you contribute at least $1,043 to KiwiSaver in a year, the government adds up to $260 on top at no cost to you. Many people simply don't know this exists.

✅ Review your fund type. Just under half of all KiwiSaver members are now in growth category funds, but many younger members remain in conservative or default settings that may not suit a 20 to 30 year investment horizon.

✅ Ignore short term market noise. Research consistently shows that contribution discipline (staying invested and keeping contributions going through volatility) matters far more to long term outcomes than trying to pick the perfect moment.

✅ Do an annual review. Life changes. Your fund type, contribution rate and retirement target should all be revisited regularly, especially after major life events like a new job, a relationship change or having children.

❓ Do you know what your current investment balance is projected to be worth at age 65? Is it enough to fund the retirement lifestyle you're actually wanting?

Disclaimer: I am a NZ financial adviser. This is general information only and is not personalised financial advice. Speak to a registered adviser before making any decisions.

04/01/2026

Retirement is not just about finishing work. It is about completely reshaping how you live. If you are thinking about signing off this year, you need to be honest with yourself about a few things.

1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

New Zealand pension kicks in at 65, but that does not mean you have to stop working. Leaving work too early is expensive. You need to bridge the gap before NZ Super starts, and that can burn through your capital fast. On the flip side, working too long might mean you miss out on your healthy years. You have to find the sweet spot between running out of money and running out of time.

2. LOCATION REALITY CHECK

Are you asset rich but cash poor? If all your wealth is tied up in real estate, you might struggle for income. Moving to a smaller region or downsizing can free up the cash you actually need to enjoy life.

3. HEALTHSPAN VS LIFESPAN

We are living longer. Reaching 90 is becoming common. You need to plan for longevity, but you also need to be realistic about your health. If you are a couple, look at who is likely to live longer or stay healthy longer. Your plan needs to work for both of you.

4. AVOID THE BOREDOM TRAP

Social isolation is a killer. Work often provides your social circle, and losing that can lead to depression fast. You need a plan for what you will actually do. Join a club, find a hobby, or volunteer. Do not wait until the day you quit to figure this out.

5. INVESTING DOES NOT STOP AT 65

Reaching 65 is not the finish line for your investments. It is just the start of the spending phase. With inflation and longer life expectancies, your money still needs to grow. You cannot just put it all under the mattress. You need a strategy where some money is ready to spend now, and the rest is working hard to fund your life in twenty years.

Which of these five areas do you find the hardest to plan for? What is top of your retirement bucket list?

04/01/2026

You would not buy shares in a company with no financials. So why run your finances without a clear snapshot of income, spending, debts, and savings? Here are 5 steps to get your finances in order this month.

1. Put it in the diary

Financial planning is not a one-off job. If you do not schedule it, it simply won't happen. Pick a time, perhaps Sunday night or a quiet Saturday morning, and make it a recurring appointment with yourself. Treat it like a meeting you cannot miss.

2. Do a full stocktake

Collect everything. I mean everything. Dig out your KiwiSaver balances, credit card bills, and insurance policies. January is perfect for this because the year-end summaries are an easy way to get the full picture.

3. Track every dollar

For the next 30 days, record every single dollar you spend. Use a spreadsheet, a notebook, or an app. Most of us think we know where our money goes, but we are usually wrong. This isn't about judging yourself. It is about getting accurate data so you can calculate how much you actually need to live.

4. Calculate your net worth

This is a simple formula: Assets minus Liabilities. Take what you own and subtract what you owe. The resulting number is your net worth. It might be positive or it might be negative, but that does not matter right now. The goal is to establish a baseline so you can watch that number grow over the year.

5. Create a one-page summary

Summarise all that data into a single document or an app. This becomes your financial dashboard. It lets you see your financial health at a glance without digging through different login screens or multiple documents.

Don't let perfection get in the way of progress. You do not need the perfect spreadsheet or the fanciest app. You just need to start now.