Antonia Watson

"Responding to these [housing affordability] challenges with new supply, in the absence of pushing just as hard on other policies, is unlikely to materially improve affordability, even in the medium term." - Richard Yetsenga, Chief Economist at ANZ. Check out the ANZ-CoreLogic Housing Affordability Report at the link in Richard's analysis of the housing affordability challenge. #anz #mortgagebrokers #mortgageadvice #homeloans #housingaffordability #firsthomebuyers

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Kia Ora linkedin whanau, Today I released track 1 of 13 on my mental health awareness album project- The ‘FLOWOXETINE’ album. One of many internal battles is kicked into gear with the album Debut - ‘I THINK IM ANXIOUS’. Featuring vocal talents of @niamhcrooksmusic, she’s and incredible artist, local to Aotearoa! This is a body of work representing more than music, where I aim to welcome all walks of life into the world of anxiety. I want to grow. I want to connect. I want to spread my wings and see the world. The only problem is… I think I’m anxious. Here is the song link! Spread the word https://lnkd.in/gZ7FS-nf In a world so very riddled with “social”, “positive” toxicities, it has become too simplistic for such doubts to eradicate even a healthy mind. I try spark genuine, strong habits but ultimately find myself looking in the mirror questioning what I’m doing, or where I’m going. Do others feel the same? “I think I’m anxious”. I know so many are just like me, young, and old (what is a 25 year old even meant to be doing…?) and still figuring out who they are. Look. Please. I tell you this with full confidence. I love you bro, sis. We are all good in the end. But the end doesn’t need to be now. Let’s write some more pages. Let’s sing some more songs. Let’s grab some coffee. Let’s go shoot hoops! I use to be good I’ll snatch yo ankles (basketball talk). I think life’s most beautiful opportunity is the ability to connect. Let’s connect? It really does a lot when you share, like and comment on these sorts of things when they go out. The continued support from close and distant souls on previous projects has been tremendous. I love you regardless of the support, but would like to ask of your time in listening to something a bit more important to me. Big love as always from the brother K. Aroha nui e te whanau x *Spread mental health awareness* Tell someone you love them. Reach out to a friend and check in with their hobbies, plans! Big shout out to the supporting cast on this project. @danthemusefanmandamn for lighting the shoots. @the2xstudio for shooting the shoots! @riotalkshit for helping me through shit @navesh_manny for helping me through shit @mati_denton for overseeing the project as it happens. @josiedenton_ for being my sister (can’t believe you live in aussie!) Mum & dad for being mum and dad @karl_fraser14 for encouraging me to get a motorbike hahaha (soon!)

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Does the new Australian Budget offer real relief, or is it more of a wash? The recently announced Federal Budget for 2024-25 aims to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, tackle housing affordability, and provide targeted support across various sectors. I've analysed the key highlights to help you understand how these measures could impact your financial situation. 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗼𝗳-𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 1️⃣ Tax Cuts: the Stage 3 tax cuts, effective July 1, 2024, will reduce the tax burden for all working Australians. 2️⃣ Energy Bill Relief: $300 will be credited to household electricity bills next financial year. 3️⃣ Rental Assistance Boost: Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 10% from September 2024, helping address rental affordability. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 4️⃣ Student Debt Relief: an average $1,200 reduction in HELP/HECS debt for about 3 million Australians. 5️⃣ Superannuation Enhancements: from July 2025, paid parental leave will attract 12% super contributions, particularly benefiting women and promoting greater retirement savings. 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 6️⃣ Deeming Rates Freeze: the extension of the deeming rates freeze until June 30, 2025, will prevent reductions in income support payments. 7️⃣ Increased Flexibility for Carers: Carer Payment recipients will have more flexibility to engage in employment, study, and volunteering. While the energy price relief and rental assistance increases are welcome and much-needed, it feels like we're receiving benefits funded by our own money. This highlights the broader issue of long-standing governmental failures to adequately address energy and housing challenges. As a financial planner, my role includes analysing these economic and legislative changes to provide tailored advice for my clients. Understanding how these budget measures impact your financial situation is crucial, and I'm here to help navigate these changes. #SpectrumWealth #FederalBudget #FinancialPlanning #CostOfLiving #TaxCuts #EnergyRelief #RentalAssistance #StudentDebt #Superannuation #WelfareSupport

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This new index from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman highlights the growing pressure on small businesses. This strain is evident to credit professionals, who are seeing increased payment times and rising bad debts. Of particular concern is reports from Australian Institute of Credit Management members, noting a decline in small businesses seeking assistance when facing payment challenges. Credit providers recognise the risks associated with extending credit to businesses experiencing cash flow issues. However, they remain committed to supporting viable customers. Open and honest communication between customers and suppliers is crucial for navigating these challenges effectively. If you are a small business experiencing cash flow difficulties, it is vital to engage with your credit providers early. Proactive communication can lead to better support and solutions, helping to maintain strong business relationships and financial health. https://lnkd.in/gW28fvxt

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75% of what you retire with will come from compounding returns. Think about that for a moment. It means that every dollar in your super will, over the course of time, grow SIGNIFICANTLY. It also means that every dollar you take out early will end up costing you A LOT MORE than a dollar. Of course, if there’s a genuine emergency then super is there to help but it’s not a bottomless lolly jar that can be dipped into again and again to solve policy problems that a government (or opposition) might want to shove onto individuals and families. My observation is that keeping your super invested until you retire is the starting point to making sure your super grows large enough to give you the retirement you want. (I am not a financial advisor and this is not financial advice)

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Its International Day of Older Persons which got me thinking. An aging cohort, reduction in stock from non-state providers, and prioritisation on return from investments in the retirement village sector are creating a perfect storm and we need to ask the question: Who are we as a society when it comes to housing our older people? The introduction of KiwiSaver in 2007 recognised that national superannuation wasn’t going to provide for all your needs at retirement, but KiwiSaver is little comfort for those approaching retirement age now. Insufficient time to create a decent nest egg, unmanageable market forces, lower home ownership rates (with less people entering retirement mortgage free), and decreasing pensioner housing stock means the demand for subsidised retirement living is growing significantly. The article points out some of the pitfalls of trying to release equity in the family home and the expensive nature of these limited schemes, where the remaining equity in the home will only last for so long. The wider provision of affordable housing for older people needs to remain in the public consciousness. For those who have rented their whole lives, the traditional model of pensioner housing provided by councils has seen sunnier days. Many councils have exited this market, seeing it as non-core business and unappealing to rate payers who are already under pressure to fund council operations. This leaves very few sub-market operators who are able to make the economics of providing affordable housing to older people work. Habitat has some activity in this space, including with WDC in Leamington as part of a wider portfolio of public housing, Freeman Court (an independent living facility) and Alma Brotherhood (a small independent retirement village), and old council housing stock in Hamilton – but all of this is very small in the context of demand. There was a time that retirement in New Zealand was funded by having a mortgage free house and national Super. Indeed, the wealth transfer of middle New Zealand took place in this context, as the value of mum and dad’s home was transferred to the next generation. . However, with the rise of consumerism, changes in social dynamic, increasing relationship breakdowns in later life disproportionality impacting older women, extended life expectancy and marketing by retirement villages, the cycle is breaking. ‘Boohoo’, I hear many say, ‘you’re not getting your inheritance. Poor middle class you’ - and I agree; however, like any ecosystem, there needs to be balance. A range of options across the housing continuum is essential to a well-functioning system. The role of retirement villages and their license to occupy schemes that extract maximum value and return very little and reverse mortgages and equity release schemes point to a market that has favored investment return to the investor at the detriment of the resident. So, who are we as a society when it comes to housing our older people?

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I am enjoying the posts and commentary from Sam Stubbs. NZ needs to increase kiwisaver contributions and participation. We need strong domestic financial institutions and long-term planning for good policy, infrastructure investment, housing and health. We need strong incentives for SME growth in exports, venture investment and R&D incentives. NZ is a small country that needs to be bold in approach to improve the lot of everyday kiwis. The government had an opportunity to borrow internationally during ‘zirp’ to establish a $50b fund for housing, infrastructure and Domestic finance institutions at sub 2.00% pa cost, but our policies, politicians and framework are focused on election cycles that are too short-term. At least, this is the view from the other side of the ditch. Keep up the initiatives Sam!

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Not long to go now until our Payments NZ conference The Point 2024 on 19 & 20 November – Ki tua, Navigating beyond.  One of the cool things I get to do at our conferences as they roll around every two years, is a behind-the-scenes job to help brief in speakers 🙌. I can hand on heart say with the speakers we've started briefing, there are some amazing leaders from here in Aotearoa and around the globe turning up to hurt our brains with the possible, resolve our wairua towards the meaningful and set a fire in our bellies to drive progress. For those of you coming along that love the 'big picture stuff', there are some sessions I reckon that will be right up your alley👇: 🌳 Matua Rereata Mākiha sharing his deep ancestral knowledge and know-how on intergenerational thinking, succession and legacy.  This kaumatua is revered for his knowledge and is in much demand by so many sectors for his mātauranga (knowledge) on te taiao (the environment) and more. 💪 The panel with our four mana wāhine bank CEO’s Catherine McGrath from Westpac, Vittoria Shortt from ASB, Antonia Watson from ANZ and Kerry Boielle from TSB, on shaping the future of the digital economy and how we’re all going to need to make some tough calls on priorities to set us on an innovation and growth trajectory as a nation and as an industry. 🌪 The panel on navigating trade, geopolitics and the economy. This panel discussion will be coming in hot on the heels of the US election 🤯 and together with the state of our economy, the ongoing groundwork in export markets esp. with indigenous trade corridors and in the Pacific, this will be a super interesting discussion with - Hon. Tim Groser former Trade Minister, export business and governance rangatira Traci Houpapa, economist Shamubeel Eaqub and Jennifer Henry CEO Bank of the Cook Islands. 🚸 The panel on Te Ao Hurihuri 2040 and beyond with Janelle Riki-Waaka from Riki Consultancy Ltd, Adrian Smith from BlinkPay, Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele from FIBRE FALE and Jason-Urranndulla Davis from HOLDACCESS (WUNA). Our demographics are changing and in 15 years or so time in Aotearoa the workforce and our consumer base is looking younger and more ethnically and culturally diverse. If we’re setting up our organisations for the long-term we need to be leaning into this significant paradigm shift. There is something for everyone in the programme that’s for sure! Steve Wiggins Chad Haighmark Phil Cass Shaun Clements Lisa Ibarra Andrew Weaver Merilee Andrews Vanessa Ronan-Pearce 🎶Nina Seja

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NAB welcomes the Future Made in Australia package announced as part of the Federal Budget. The right government incentives are going to be critical in attracting the significant capital needed to transition, and secure Australia’s long term economic prosperity in a decarbonised world.    As David Gall says in his discussion with Richard Gluyas, as always, the devil will be in the detail here. A strength of the USA’s Inflation Reduction Act has been the clarity it affords investors in how they qualify for either development or production tax credits. Therefore, here on home soil, it will be important for the Future in Australia package be backed in by the right fiscal policies. To secure capital, investors will need to have confidence that Australian transition projects are secure investments for the long term. Nevertheless, this is a step forward in Australia’s transition to net zero, and the economic upside we know is on the table if we can get it right. https://lnkd.in/gtrjx-iY

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It was forty years ago today I started a new job in a new sector, that at the time seemed like a massive leap of faith. It was my first step into professional fundraising practice, and I wasn’t sure what being Development Officer at Arthritis Foundation South Australia would entail. And I certainly didn’t know that I would be commencing a career in a vocation that I’ve grown up with and seen grow up around me.   The years have passed by, both fast and slow, and here we are in 2024 where much has changed, and much hasn’t.   In 1984, a young person taking on a job in fundraising seemed to create sympathetic curiosity. It wasn’t seen as a ‘real job’ and certainly not a career. Today, our sector has a much younger look, and a very different range of career opportunities. But there is still a lingering question around the bona fides of fundraising practice, from some perspectives at least.   The non-profit sector has also changed a lot over the past four decades. It has grown exponentially and become more complex and diverse. It is now a significant part of the Australian economy and our society. And yet, despite an obvious maturing in the sector, there is arguably still some way to go, especially as we struggle to reconcile the relationship between purpose and money.   While it can be easy to be impatient for change over what may seem to be a long time, I’m also aware that in the scheme of things, forty years isn’t very long at all. And, as I reflect on my time in the sector, I’m conscious that much has happened before, and much will happen beyond my time.   My career has taken a different path from many of my colleagues. While I have always maintained a fundraising practice base, my focus has gravitated to fundraising and philanthropy within an organisational leadership context. I have worked with wonderful organisations, exceptional people and some outstanding leaders, and had a unique opportunity to lead the formation and growth of a significant fundraising organisation serving an iconic institution.   Today I work with a wide range of people and organisations across the diversity of the non-profit sector, in advisory and governance roles. It is another step in what has been an evolving career that continues to be rewarding and enjoyable.   Looking back, I have had experiences I couldn’t have imagined as I started on this vocational journey forty years ago. I have forged enduring friendships and been supported by generous mentors. And the constant through that time has been my supportive, encouraging and always patient family.   As I share a brief reflection publicly, I’m very aware that this is a really a personal milestone that matters most at a personal level. However, it is a good occasion and opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many people who have been and continue to be important to me in shaping and supporting the forty years I’ve had in the vocation of professional fundraising practice.   So simply and sincerely - thank you.

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A lot of good news for women and HESTA members in last night’s Federal Budget, with welcome measures to improve retirement outcomes, increase wages in female-dominated industries, tackle cost-of-living pressures and – at long last – funding to pay super on paid parental leave. Funding this vital equity measure isn’t just a great investment in the financial future of women across Australia, it sends a clear message that unpaid caring work is a valuable contribution to our economy. But further reform is still needed to make our world-class super system fairer for everyone. It’s unfair low-income earners, many of whom are women, continue to pay more tax on their super contributions than their wages. That’s why we want to see eligibility for the Low-Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) extended to those earning up to the top of the second tax bracket ($45,000), and the offset brought in line with the Super Guarantee. Making this inflation-neutral change could help make a real difference to the retirement outcomes for many of our members. Climate change remains a financial risk for our members’ retirement savings, but the energy transition can also create investment opportunities. That’s why I was pleased to see measures encouraging more investment in Australia’s energy transition, with a focus on new industries including renewable hydrogen, critical minerals processing, green metals, low-carbon liquid fuels and cleaner energy manufacturing. And finally, it was fantastic to see targeted cost-of-living relief and support for so many women in health and community services. Many of our members already face significant hurdles in achieving financial security in retirement. So, I commend Budget funding provisions for aged care and early childhood education wage increase, more flexibility for carers, and a $320 ‘prac payment’ for nursing, teaching, midwifery and social work students. Jim Chalmers MP #FederalBudget #Budget2024 #Superannuation #Retirement #Women #auspol

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ESG - Gender Diversity The Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) has appointed one of the nation’s leading diversity and sustainability advocates, Sunita Gloster AM to its board. DCA CEO Lisa Annese told B&T that Gloster’s appointment couldn’t come at a more pertinent time and her experience and perspective working in industries where diversity and inclusivity in the workplace have been challenged will prove invaluable. In her assessment of how diversity in the media industry compares with other sectors, Annese said: “We have got a way to go in terms of having proper media diversity, which includes diversity on camera, behind the camera and the people who run media outlets,” she said. Eden Asset Management .We believe that it is incumbent upon us to respond to the environmental and social challenges facing the world and that, as investors, very exciting opportunities will emerge as the global economy responds to these challenges. As a specialist investor, sustainable investment in the resources sector is therefore a key focus for Eden Partners. The Eden Global Natural Resources UCITS Fund is classified as a Light Green Fund under Article 8 of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (“SFDR”). Our approach to sustainable investment is: to weight our portfolio towards sustainable investments within the resources sector; exclude investments which do not meet our sustainability objectives; and to give preference to businesses which, whilst they may not have a directly sustainable objective, can demonstrate that sustainability considerations are implemented in the operation of their business over those that do not. ESG is an extremely important consideration to our investment strategy. Through our partnership and alignment with Digbee ESG, Parvate ESG & Treety, we are able to meaningfully incorporate ESG into our investment strategy. Whilst the Funds objective is not sustainable investment, effective ESG-conscious investing in the global resources sector will be a key determinant of performance for strategies in our sector. Fully incorporating ESG considerations in our portfolio construction process will therefore significantly contribute to delivering risk-adjusted returns, and the Fund promotes environmental and social characteristics and invests in companies that apply good corporate governance. Active investors in the global resources sector can materially influence the behaviour of companies in making responsible decisions regarding ESG matters. We believe that global resources companies have a central role to play in making the transition to a low carbon economy, both in terms of more sustainable means of energy generation, reducing emissions and other environmental impacts from their own operations and in delivering the raw materials which will be required to deploy cleaner technologies. https://lnkd.in/eeFdGsbU #edenam #assetmanagement #esg #genderdiversity #esgfunds

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The Travelling Economist: Things just got real. One of the highlights of my role, is getting out into the regions and hearing what’s really going on. My life is a never-ending roadshow. In the aftermath of the RBNZ’s decision, I’ve been as far south as Queenstown, I’ve run through the heartland of Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton and Palmy. I held the fort in Auckland, and I’ve been north of the wall (game of thrones) in Whangārei. I've presented to over 800 business owners. And I now have upcoming trips to Whanganui, Taranaki and Wellywood. Things just got real. The RBNZ rate cut has enabled us to focus on magnitude, rather than agonising over timing. The discussion focussed on the amount of easing to come. We have been quite vocal in calling for a swift move back to 2.5%. That’s 300bps of cuts.  And the conversation is much more constructive. Business owners have lifted their heads, and are now talking more (positively) about future prospects. Investors have been hunted by policymakers. But now, the hunted will become the hunters. There’s more positivity around housing.  Interest rates are the biggest driver of house prices. Tailwinds are coming. I must give a massive shout out to all the Kiwibank business bankers for tirelessly organising each event, and loading every venue with Kiwi business owners. And thank you to the conference organisers for getting me involved. https://lnkd.in/guPH74NV

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With the Fair Work Ombudsman recovering a eye-opening $473 million in wage underpayments over the past year, the importance of accurate and fair wages is more pressing than ever. While there have been no recent enforcement actions or new legislation, this recovery highlights the ongoing scrutiny of wage compliance and the critical need for directors to ensure robust systems are in place. So, what can directors do to build accountability in wage compliance? Firstly, foster a compliance-first culture from the top down where employees are informed, rights are respected, and wage compliance is a priority. Secondly, understand your underpayment response plan. Is there a well-defined plan in place to address underpayment issues if they arise? If not, one will need to be developed. Next, insist on transparent, measurable goals and KPIs that ensure wage issues are addressed effectively and in real time. Then, invest in real-time compliance monitoring; encouraging management to leverage automation and dashboards to provide monthly board updates on essential wage metrics, allowing for swift action when needed. Last but not least, address root causes systemically. This means encouraging management to perform root cause analysis for any wage discrepancies, ensuring these issues don’t happen again. From conducting over 100 wage reviews, we’ve seen that non-compliance often stems from process errors, gaps in awareness, or limited communication across functions—issues that only diligent monitoring and robust systems can effectively tackle. Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gF6cKQuu #WageCompliance #FairWork #Leadership #Governance #Automation

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These fives stories of everyday Australians show us the benefits of clean energy investment. https://lnkd.in/gWPFEhP3 There are lots of new jobs in a clean economy, and they'll keep communities thriving. Support climate action - it pays off: https://lnkd.in/gX8YexH2

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