NZ Herald - Plus Feature November 2022

Live for today, plan for tomorrow

The things that mattermost

Transitioningfromafamilyhometoafull-time care home cansometimes have itschallenges.Here’show youcan smoothe theway.

There’s no denying that making the move to afull-time care home can come with some mixed emotions, for both the individuals concerned and their families.But with agood plan that takes into account some of the simple things in life, it can all work out wonderfully for everyone concerned.

The warmest welcome

One of the country’sleading care home providers, Radius Care,takes the introductionofnew people into their residences very seriously Awarm welcome to the facility, its staffand other residents can makeahugedifference to the allimportant settling-in period and establish apositive pathway that will takethe new resident forward with optimism and arenewed zest for life.

Whenthis stageishandled well,

with sensitivity and care, allowing for things to move at apace that the residentiscomfortablewith, anyperceived upheaval can usually be minimised and overcome Afavouritechair or atreasured pet. There’s comfortinthe familiar, so Laurel Winwood, Manager of Radius Care’s highly regarded Taupaki Gables facility in West Auckland, actively encourages new residents to bring something special from their previous home with them.

Sometimes this can be as simple as acomfy armchair from which they’re used to observing the world. Forothers, it’sbringinga much-loved, well-behaved pet that’s as muchapartoftheir family as anyone else

The keyismaintaininga sense of normality,focusing on everyday

happpiness and wellbeing. If it makes the individual feel good and there are no negative effects on anyone else in the residence then, to Laurel Winwood, it’sworth doing. Agentle routine. Establishing aregular programme of activities from the outset is vital to making anew resident feel right at home.

This doesn’t need to be too hectic, but just enough to establish some human connections with staff and fellow residents alike.

Laurel Winwood sees the group within her facility as very mucha community

“Our residents very quickly become partofthe place and, soon after that, they’re likelifelong friends to both our staffand other people in our care. Ican promise you that no-one at aRadius Care

homeever has cause to feel bored or restless. We keep everyone happily active and engaged through all seasons.”

Let the experts be your guide. Remember,ifyou’re unsure about anything around the process of seeking full-time care or respite assistance, then all it takes is a quickcall to anyreputable provider

There are kind, compassionate people likeLaurelWinwood all aroundthe country who are only too willingtooffer their expertise to makethe process easy on everyone.

Take the first step by popping in for achat and asking afew questionsofyour own. With alittle researchand guidance from those in the know,findingthe right place for your loved one will come about easily

Brien Cree ExecutiveChair-RADIUS CARE

Savingfor retirement

ByRubyHarfield

MasseyUniversity’sretirement expenditureguidelinesstatethata couplewhowantacomfortablelifestyle inacitywouldneedabout$809,000savedfor theirretirementtogetthemtotheageof90.

StatisticsNewZealandsaysthat,onaverage, 80percentof65-year-oldmencannowexpect toliveuntiltheyare90and65-year-oldwomen untiltheyare94.

Sorted,awebsitethatoffersfreefinancial advicerecommendsusingsavingsand investmentstosupplementapensionduring retirement.

FinancialAdviceNewZealandchiefexecutive KatrinaShankssaidtheearlierpeoplestart savingforretirementtheeasieritisandthere willbesignificantbenefitsfromcompounding interest.

“Itisalsoidealtoensurethatyouhavea financialplaninplaceandthiswillprovideyou withtheamountthatyoushouldbesavingto achieveyourgoalsandneeds.

“Everybodyisdifferentsowillhavedifferent targetsfortheirretirementsavings.

“Thatiswhyitisimportantyoureceive financialadvice–theearlierinyourlifethe better.”

Youshouldstartsavingforyourretirement withyourfirstjobusingKiwiSaverasastart,she said.

“KiwiSavergivesyouboththegovernment andemployercontributionssoitisano-brainer.”

However,ifyouareclosertoretirementand haven’tstartedsavingthenitisimportantto seekfinancialadvicetodeterminewhereyour financialprioritiesshouldbe.

Therearearangeofinvestmentswhich peoplecanhavefortheirretirementfromterm deposits,managedfunds,propertyandother formsofassets.

Thetypeofinvestmentapersonhaswillbe basedontheirriskprofileandthetypeofasset classtheyarecomfortablewithinvestingin,she

said.

ManypeoplehaveKiwiSaverandterm deposits,othersmixthiswithothermanaged fundsandproperty.

“Yourinvestmentportfoliowillalsoreflect whenyouneedthemoneyinyourretirementso mostpeoplewhoareretiredwillhavearange ofinvestmentstomeettheirneedsatdifferent timesduringtheirretirement.”

StewartGroupfinancialadviserBruceJenks saidpeoplecanlookatsavingsasbuckets withoneforeverydayexpenses,anotherfor emergenciesandthethirdforinvestment.

Makesuretogetridofdebtfirst,thenlookat whatmoneyyoumayhavetoinvest,hesaid.

“You’llneedtoridetheupsanddownswith long-terminvestment.

“Haveapurposeandcreateaplanthatwill lookatcashflowoveralifetimeandprojecthow itwillchange.

“Afinancialadvisercanhelpwiththat.”

It’salsoimportanttoinvestinawaythatwill enableyoutosleepatnight,hesaid.

“Whatthatmeansisyourabilitytohandle thevolatilityoftheportfolioandtheassetsnot gettinggoodgrowthattimes.

“Sharesarethemostvolatilebutcangetthe mostgrowth.Long-termfundsaremostly80-90 percentsharesbutthiscanbecutbackifitwill causeyoutoworry.”

BTFundsManagementNZ(BTNZ),which managesWestpac’sinvestmentfunds,offersa rangeofsavingsandinvestmentproductsas wellasfreefinancialadvice.

ItschiefexecutiveNigelJacksonsaid KiwiSaverisagreatplacetostartandthere areotherwaysofsavingincludingunittrusts whichofferarangeofinvestmentoptionstosuit differentrisktypesandtimeframes.

PeoplecanalsousecashPIESandterm depositsorinvestdirectlyinsecuritiessuchas sharesandbonds.

“Youshouldconsiderandplanhowmuch

moneyyou’llneedtopayforthelifeyouwantto liveinretirement.

“Consideryourparticularcircumstances, factorslikewhatageyouplantostopworking, whetheryouownahomeandwhatlifestyle you’dlikeinretirement.”

Kiwibankseniorproductmanager-business borrowingandsavingsGlenSaunderssaid savingforretirementcanfeeldauntingorlikeit isfarawaybutpeopleshouldbethinkingabout itregardlessoftheirlifestyleorlifestage.

Theearlieryoustartthemoreyoucansave, especiallyusingproductslikethenoticesaver whichyoucancontributeregularlytobutnot withdrawfrom,hesaid.

Ifyousave$130afortnightassumingyoupay (RWT)taxat30percentandthesavingsaccount pays3.5percentayearthenyouwillhave around$75,000in20years.

Playingdarts notthe only point

Friendshipsinretirementareeasy &vital -asthistrio shows.

Peter wasalmost90whenhe first heardhimselfdescribedas a“hustler”. Allinjest,ofcourse –the teasing barb wasuttered by hismates, Johnand Bob, over Peter’s prowessatthegameof dartsatBupa TotaraGardensretirement VillageinWhangarei.

“Peter’s anovice,”explains83-year-old Bob.“He’s alsothe bestofus.”Johnsays: “Ithink we’vebeenhustled.”

“Sometimestheymiss,”jokes89-yearold Peterwhoadmitshe’d neverplayed the gamebefore meeting up withBoband Johnat TotaraGardens.Hismates crackup atthis witticism –and indoingsorevealthe truenatureoftheirinterplay. They are darts players, yes,butthatisn’treallythepoint(if you’ll forgive the pun).Theyare firmfriends.

Thetrio hadnevermet each other before TotaraGardens butarenowbuddiesafter theydecidedtogive darts ago(every Tuesday, 2pm).Sowhiletheirstorypartly pointstotheactivities availableatplaces likeBupa’sTotaraGardens,itismainly aboutfriendshipandtheabilitytomake friendsat such avillage.

“Imet Johnon my firstdayhere,”says Bob. “Idecided togo forawalkand met him then.”

Whentheymetup with Peter,the idea ofplayingdartscroppedup. Allthreeare marriedandadmitthewivesprobablyenjoy the mengettingout fromundertheir feet withtheirdartsandotheractivitiesthey pursue together.

They have onlybeenplayingdarts togethersince aboutApril –andsaythey are alongwayaway fromplayingina

league or eveninanykindofcompetition againstotherretirementvillages: “Oh, we arenowherenearthat,”saysJohn.“It’sjust abit of fun”.

It’salsowhatmightbecalled adooropener.Movinginto aretirement village isnotalways simple. Many donotknow anyoneelsethereand, forsome,meeting peopleisnotalways easy.

However, ifthere wasa Bupanational competition forthe wordsmostoften heard intheirretirementvillages,itmightbe: “Peoplearejustso friendly”.

Whichwas what Bobdiscovered.“Ithink when youcometo aplacelikethis,it’sa matterof your ownpersonal attitude. You have tobeopen-mindedandopento things –but peoplehereare very goodandIfound itenjoyablefromthestart.”

Peter:“Ihadnoproblematallbut you justhave tobeabletojoinin –ittakesa little effortbutthat’sall.”John:“Wewere justaboutthe firstintothisvillageand everyonehereissopleasedtobehere,it makes it easy[tomakefriends].”

Friendship,as we allknow, is avitalpart oflife. AccordingtoHarvardMedicalSchool research,itgoesdeeperthanthat –having goodfriendsnotonlygivespleasure,they alsoinfluencelong-termhealthinways everybitaspowerfulasadequatesleep,a gooddiet,and notsmoking.

Dozensofstudieshave shownthat peoplewhohave satisfyingrelationships with family,friends,andtheircommunity arehappier,have fewerhealthproblems, andlivelonger. Conversely,lackofstrong relationshipscanincreasetheriskof

prematuredeathfromallcauses.

Atthemoment,the Bob-Peter-Johndarts competition takesplacein avilla converted to be atemporarycommunitycentre/happy hour venue/darts hall.TotaraGardens are preparing anew administration blockand community centreforthevillage.Itwillbe, saysBob, abiggerareawith room forapool table“andmaybeindoorbowls”.

Suchplacesareessentialinvillage life, Bobsays.“They arewhere youcaneasily meetpeople.”

What’simpressiveaboutthesethree isthesmilesthatplayacrosstheir faces whentheyare talking.Youcantellthey arenotonlymates,relaxedineach other’s company, butalsorelaxed by their surroundings;ateaseinthevillage.

“When we firstcamehere,”saysBob, “wewentto acoupleofmorningteasand happyhour –and it wasfairlyquiet. Then, aspeoplegottoknoweachother, itgrew [innumbersandnoise].

“Threeor fourtimesafterthat, every timeyou walkedintomorningteaorhappy hour,there’d bethisgreatbighubbubof conversation goingon. Therestillis.”

Formoreinformation:bupa.co.nz

Bob &Peter.Photo/Supplied

Asaresult,therehasbeenagrowthin investmentfundsthatarespecifically m managedtolowercarbonemissions.

In2018,aNZfundmanager,SaltFunds Management,tookthistoawholenewlevel withapioneeringlistingoftheCarbonFund ontheNZX(‘CO2.nz’).TheCarbonFundhas grownquicklytoover$120mofassetsinvested directlyincarboncreditsandhasreturned22.9% annualisedsinceinception.

WhatAreCarbonCredits?

Manycountrieshaveestablishedmechanisms forpricinggreenhousegasemissions(commonly referredtoas‘carbon’or‘CO2e’).NewZealand isamonganincreasingnumberofcountriesand regionstohaveamarketthatpricescarbon.

Puttingapriceoncarbondriveschangesin thebehaviourofcompaniesandconsumers. NewZealandhasoneoftheearliestandmost effectiveemissionstradingschemes(‘ETS’). TheNZgovernmenthascreatedamarketplace

whereitmeasuresemissionsandrequiresthose emissionstobecoveredbyanallowanceor carboncredit.

Creditsarecreatedinthreeways.Firstly, thegovernmentissuescreditstoentitieswho absorbcarbonsuchasforestry.Secondly,it handscreditstoexport-exposedemitterssuch ascementproducers,wheretheproductswould otherwisebeimported.Thirdly,itsellscredits ontheopenmarketinquarterlyauctions.The aimistoissuejustenoughcreditstomeetour emissionsreductiontargets.

Thehigherthecarbonprice,thegreaterthe incentivetochangebehaviourintermsofhow muchisemittedanditalsoincentivisestheuseof newtechnologiestosolvetheproblem.

WhereDoNZ’sEmissionsComeFrom? InNewZealand,halfofouremissionscomefrom agriculturewhichisnotincludedintheETS.Of theremainder,asignificantproportioncomes fromtransport.Forexample,petrolisalmost

purecarbon.Alitreofpetrolwillcreate2.4kgs ofCO2e.The40litresofpetrolyoufillupyour carwitheachweekwillgeneratealmost100kgs ofemissions.Currently,eachlitreofpetrolhas around20centsofcarboncostincludedinthe priceyoupayatthepump.Theincentivefor vehicleownersisbothtodrivelessandtoswitch tomoreenergy-efficienttransport.

HowDoCarbonCreditsLinkToTheClimate ChangeProblem?

In2015,NewZealandwasamong195countries thatsigneduptotheParisAgreement,withthe goaloflimitingtheglobaltemperatureincrease to2.0degreesabovepre-industriallevelsandan ambitiontostaybelow+1.5degrees.

AccordingtotheIntergovernmentalPanelon ClimateChange(‘IPCC’),a+2.0degreeworldwill beverydifferenttowhatwehavenow.Storms willbecomemorefrequentandmoreviolent, whichalongwithrisingsea-levelsanddroughts, mayrequiresomepopulationstoberelocated. Animalspeciesmaybecomeextinctastheymay beunabletoadapttoarapidchangeinhabitat, includingthepotentiallossof99%oftheworld’s coralreefs.Thenewsisalmostasbadat+1.5 degrees.

Themoststrikingissueisthattheworldis already+1.1degreeswarmer.In2020itwas estimatedthattheworldcouldemitanother 400billiontonnesofCO2equivalentsinto theatmospherebefore+1.5degreesbecame inevitable.Astheworldhascontinuedtorunat arateofcloseto40billiontonnesperannumitis predictedwecouldbethereasearlyas2030.

HowIsNZPlaced&WhatDoesThisMeanFor CarbonPrices?

Climateactiontracker.org,estimatesthatcurrent globalgovernmentpoliciesandactionshavethe worldonatracktoexceed+3.0degreesbythe endofthecentury.Despiteourpledges,New

Zealandcurrentlyscoresa“highlyinsufficient” ratingandismoreinlinewithapathto+4.0 degreeworld.TheMinistryofBusiness, InnovationandEmployment’sprojected emissionstrackhasNewZealandmissingits Paristargetbyawidemargin.NewZealand clearlyneedstopickupthepace.

Thepriceofcarbonislinkedtothespeed atwhichweneedtopushcompaniesand consumersawayfromfossilfuelsandindustrial production.AccordingtotheClimateChange Commission’sownprojections,thecarbonprice needstocontinuetoriseifNZistomeetitsParis Treatycommitments.

HowDoesTheCarbonFund(CO2.nz)FitInto This?

TheCarbonFund’saimistoprovideinvestors withexposuretothepriceofcarboncredits.

TheFundischieflyfocusedonNZcarbon creditsbutcanalsoinvestinoffshoreemissions tradingschemes.TheCarbonFundcurrently hasinvestmentsinNewZealandandAustralian carboncredits.

ThebenefitsofTheCarbonFund

1.Marketaccess:TheFundgivesinvestors exposuretoanassetclassthattheymay notbeabletoaccessthemselvesdirectly.

Moreinformationcanbefoundatwww. carbonfund.co.nz

ByRubyHarfield

ForDanielandhistwoyoungerbrothers,bed wasaheapofoldfoammattresseslayingon aparticleboardfloorinacolddampcorner oftheirhome.

Theretheytriedtokeepwarmtogether sleepinginatangleofblankets.

Livinginahousepronetomoistureandrapid mouldgrowth,theboysallsufferedfromskin conditionsandanendlesssuccessionofcolds.

TheHealthyHomesInitiativeworkedwith thelandlordtobringthehouseuptotheHealthy Homesstandardstoensureawarm,dryand healthyhomeforthefamily.

Danielandhisbrotherseachreceivedabed oftheirownalongwithwarmbedding,thanksto fundingfromVarietysupporters.

Nowtheyallenjoytheirownspaceandare warmanddryatnight.Nolongerexposedto dampandcoldconditions,theboys’healthand skinhavesignificantlyimproved.

Varietyofferstailoredandflexiblesupport toNewZealandchildrenandwhānaulivingin

poverty.

VarietyphilanthropymanagerDavidDowling saidthecharityisaboutthrivingkids,within happierfamilies,instrongercommunities.

“Thismighttakeamillionlittlestepsbutwe wanteverygenerationtohavebetterlivesthan thelast.

“ByleavingagiftforVarietyinyourwill,you’ll improvethelivesofKiwikidsnowandinthe futureinamillionlittleways.”

Thecharity’seffortsmightlooklikethe ambulanceatthebottomofthecliffbutthisis notthecase,hesaid.

“Wedon’tarrangetripsforkidstooverseas themeparks,westepinwitheveryday essentials,schoolstationeryandeducational devices,awarmplacetosleepandschool uniforms.

“Wehelpwithfoodsecurityandmakesure kidsgettotakepartinsportsandextracurricular activities.

“Abigpartofwhatwedoismakingsure

thesekidscanblendinatschool andbepartoftheircommunity.

“Achildthat’spartofa communitytendstodobetterin life.”

Varietyisgratefulforany donationsitreceivesandifyou’re consideringleavingmoneyletthe charityknowsotheycanbuilda relationship,saythankyouandletyou knowhowthemoneywillhelp.

Leavingagiftinyourwillcanprovide thousandsofsmallopportunitiesin thatwillenablethemtothrive,Dowlingsaid.

“KiwikidsareoftensupportedbyVariety forseveralyears;warmdrybedspromotethe wellbeingandhealthofthewholefamily,kids whoareabletotakeanactivepartinactivities aremorelikelytothriveintheircommunities, kidswiththerightkit,haveabetterchanceof keepingupinclass.

“Varietydoesn’twantanykidsleftbehind.”

Yourlegacy, theirfuture Insurance as youage

Home,contentsandvehicleinsurance areessentialatanystageoflife. However,it’simportantto regularlycheckyourcoverasyouage.

AAInsuranceheadofproduct,Matthew Hickey,saidpeopleshouldreassesstheir insurancewhencircumstanceschangesuch asduringretirement.

“Changesmayincludeaddinghighvalue itemstocontentspolicies,orupdating motorpoliciestoreflectlifestylechanges.

“AAInsuranceofferstwooptional benefitsthatcanbeaddedtoacustomer’s contentspolicy,includingexcess-free hearingaidcoverand$100excessfor eyewear.

“We’reheretohelpandencourage customerstogetintouchtomakesurethey haveinsurancecoverforwhatmattersmost accordingtotheirpersonalcircumstances.”

Policiesaredesignedtobeflexibleso peoplecangetthelevelofcovertheyneed atanyage.

“Werespectthateverycustomer’s circumstancesareunique,andencourage customerstocontactusdirectlytotalk abouttheiruniqueneeds.

“Thereareoptionsavailablefor customerstoaddontotheirhome,contents orcarpoliciesaswellassomecost-saving optionslikesettingahigherexcessto reducethepremium,oronlyneedingtopay

oneexcessifyourhome,contentsandcar arealldamagedinthesameevent.”

AAInsurancewillalsoextendcontents coverifacustomer’spossessionsarestolen whiletheyareawayfromhome,atarest homeorprofessionalcarefacility.

Therearealsovariousproductsthat canassistwithlife’schanges,likeLimited Contents.

Ifthecustomerdecidestotravelintheir retirement,therearemotorhomeand caravan/trailerproductsavailableensuring theircontentsarecoveredanywhereinNew Zealand.

“AAInsurancealsorecognisesthatour seniorcustomersareoftenonfixedincomes andmay,atsomepoint,experience vulnerability,sowehaveadedicated trainingprogrammeanddocumented processesinplacetoensureweidentify situationswhereacustomermaybe strugglingandempowerourpeopleto provideextrasupportwhereitisneeded.”

Executivegeneralmanagerdistribution atAMI,StateandNZI,PaulaterBrake, agreesthatallcustomersshouldregularly reviewtheirhomeandcontentsinsurance.

“Thishelpstoensuretheyarecovered foranychangestotheirlifestyleor householdsituation,suchasupsizing ordownsizingahomeorcompleting renovations.

MAIN:Danielandhisbrotherseach receivedabedoftheirownalong withwarmbedding,thanksto fundingfromVarietysupporters.

INSET:Varietyphilanthropy managerDavidDowling. Photos/Supplied

ByRubyHarfield

“Therearealsoexternalfactors,suchas changesinrebuildingcosts,thatshouldbe takenintoaccount.

“Ifafamilymembermovespermanently intocareoraretirementhome,they’relikely toneedadditionalcontentsinsurancefor thedifferentaddress.”

Ifchildren/dependentsaremovingout ofhomeforeducationsuchasuniversityor boardingschool,inmanyinstances,existing contentsinsurancemayprovidecoverfor this.

However,itisimportantthatcustomers checktheirindividualpolicies,asnewcover mayneedtobearranged.

“Somecontentspolicies,forexample withStateInsurance,provideautomatic excess-freebenefitsforclaimson spectacles,contactlenses,denturesor hearingaidsforover55-year-olds.

“Forprivatemotorvehicleinsurance, weencouragecustomerstoregularlycheck theirsuminsuredisuptodate.

“Wealsorecommendreviewing additionalpolicyoptionssuchas windscreencover,roadsiderescue,hirecar optionsandunder25cover,andthatthe nameddriversonthepolicyarecorrect.”

Theremayalsobeadditionalassetsthat peoplehaverecentlyacquired,suchasa motorhome,boatorcaravan,thatcanbe coveredaswell.

Elevenmates,onebabyandastoryofhope.

In1927,inPennsylvania,USA,agroupofelevenfriendsfrom theentertainmentindustryformedasocialclubwhich,due totheirvariousshow-businessbackgrounds,theycalledthe VarietyClub

Thenextyear,onChristmasEve,aone-month-oldbabygirl wasfoundabandonedonaseatinPittsburgh’sSheridan Theatre.

Anotewaspinnedtoherdress.Itread: Pleasetakecare ofmybaby.HernameisCatherine.Icannolongertake careofher.Myhusbandisoutofwork.Shewasbornon ThanksgivingDay.Ihavealwaysheardofthegoodnessof show-businesspeopleandpraytoGodthatyouwilllookafter her.

Itwassigned‘ABroken-HeartedMother’.

Unabletolocateherparents,theVarietyClubmembers decidedtounderwritetheinfant’scareandeducation.They namedherCatherineVarietySheridan.

PublicitysurroundingCatherineandherbenefactorsattracted somuchsupportthat,followingheradoptionattheage offive,TheVarietyClubdecidedtoactivelyraisefundsto supportotherchildreninneed.Thankstotheirefforts,Variety –TheChildren’sCharityisnowaworldwideorganisation.

Today,Variety-theChildren’sCharityinNewZealandbenefits fromitsinternationallinksbut,veryimportantly,allfunds raisedinAotearoahelpKiwikidsinneed.

Webelievethatbyworkingtogether,wecanmakeareal, positivedifferencetoyounglives,nowandintothefuture

TothosewhosupportVarietyNewZealand,wesaythank you.Yourkindnessmeanstheworldtothousandsofchildren throughoutthecountryandwecouldn’tdowhatwedo withoutyou.

Wehopethatyouandyoursenjoyasafeandhappyholiday season.

āmihinui TheteamatVariety

Involatiletimesconsistentinvestmentreturns arehardtofind.ThatcanbedifficultforNew Zealanderswhorelyonreturnsfromtheir investmentstolivethelifethey’veplanned.

Asequitymarketscontinuetoexperience volatilitynotallofthenewsisbad.Theannualised pre-taxreturnontheFirstMortgageTrustGroup InvestmentFundforthequarterending30 September2022issittingat5.59%andhasgrown steadilythroughoutthisyear.

After26yearsinbusiness,FirstMortgageTrust (FMT)hasneverlostacentofinvestors’money, saysPaulBendall,FMTchiefexecutive.Whileno investmentiswithoutrisk,FMT’sloanarrears currentlyarelessthan1%oftheloanbook.“Even thebankswouldbeproudtohaveloanarrearslike that,”saysBendall.

That’sbecauseinvestors’moneyisFMT’s numberonefocus.“Mypredecessorimpressed onmethatinvestorscomefirst,thestaffaclose second,andshareholderreturnslookafter themselvesifyoudo1and2reallywell,”hesays.

FMTisdifferentfromatraditionalfinance company.It’safundmanagerfirst.Investors’ moneyisheldinthefundatarm’slengthandthe fundissupervisedbyTrusteeExecutors.“Ourtrust structurewithindependentoversightgivesour

investorsconfidencethattheirmoneyisbeing managedwell,”saysBendall.

Thecarefulapproachextendsintomanyother aspectsofthebusinessmodel.Forexample,the fundonlylendsonfirstmortgages.

Next,theloan-to-value-ratios(LVR)are cappedat75%onresidentialpropertyand67% oncommercialproperty.TheaverageLVRis 51%currently,meaningtheborrowerrequires significantequitybeforeFMTwilllendtothem.

AnotherpointofdifferenceinFMT’s conservativeinvestmentstrategyisthatfor everysingleloaneachpropertyisindependently inspectedtounderstandthedeal.Avaluer’sreport isn’tenough.“Weareselectiveinwhereandwho welendto,andwehavearigorousprocess,”says Bendall.

Non-bank-lenderssuchasFMToftenpickup dealsturneddownbybanksbecauseofrigid criteria,notrisk.Infactsomeofthoseloanscanbe verylowrisk.It’sawin/winforFMT,saysBendall.

Thankstothisconservativeapproach,coupled withincreasedreturnsforeachquarterof2022, FMTinvestornumbersaregrowingstrongly,and largelybywordofmouth.FMTnowhasmorethan $1.5bnoffundsundermanagementandmore thansixthousandinvestors.

Dothesummerholidays fill youwithdread?

Kiwiinnovationismaking traveleasierforpeople with aweak bladder.

ForsomeNewZealanders,the holidayseasonisanythingbut relaxing.If you’reamongtheonein three womenandonein five menwho pee alittlewhentheysneeze,cough, laughorlift somethingheavy, you mightfeellikeit’seasierandsaferto juststayhome. Youmight plan your outingsaroundthenearestpublic toilet,oravoidsituationswhere you havetodisposeofusedpadsand shieldsinsomeoneelse’s rubbishbin.

Lightbladderleakageismore commonthan you’dimagine, especiallyin womenafterchildbirth andmenopause,andinmenafter prostatecancertreatment.Butthanks tocleverKiwiingenuity, youdon’t havetoletittakeover yourlife.

KiwicompanyConfitexbelieves nobodyshouldliveinfearoflife’s littleleaks,sothey’vecreated Just’nCaseabsorbentbriefsfor womenandConfitexforMen leakprooftrunks –designedtobe worneverydayandatnightfor discreetprotectionagainstlight-tomoderatebladderleakage.

They’requalityfabricunderwearthat youcan machinewashandtumble dryexactlylikeordinaryundies,but withtheaddedbenefitofa built-in panelofConfitex’spatented highlyabsorbentandleakproof textile,rightwhere youneedit.

Initiallyinventedwitheliteathletesin mind,theyhavebeenindependently lab-testedandproventooffer abettercombinationofsuperior absorbencyandleakproof performancethananyotherreusable absorbentunderwearonthemarket –withoutaddingtell-talebulk.

Confitexunderwearareavailablein arangeofabsorbencies,sizes,styles, fabricsandcolours.

ConfitexCEOChristineArden recommendsbuyingonepairtotest inthecomfortandprivacyofhome. Thenonce you’ve gottherightsize andabsorbencyfor yourneeds, you canstockuponenoughpairstoallow youtogetonwithlife.

Notonlyareabsorbentunderwear moreenvironmentallyfriendlythan single-usepadsandguards,but because youwearthemagainand again yousavemoneyinthelongrun.

“Everyday we hearfrommenand womenwhosayConfitexunderwear hasreducedtheiranxietyandgiven themtheconfidenceandfreedomto liveanactivelife,”saysArden.

Here’s asampleofrecentreviews: “Verypleased Idecidedtotrythis underwear.Noworriesaboutbeing

embarrassedwhenin aqueueforthe toiletateventsortravelling,plusno pantylinersfortherubbishcollection. Win,winsituation.” –Beryl

“Iam a60-year-oldmanthatwasno longer wearingkhakipantsbecause oftheoccasionaldribble.These underweararrived, Iwashedthemas instructed,and wore them thenext dayWITHkhakipants.Noproblem. Theattentiontodetail,theprotection fromfronttoback,AMAZING!!! Iwill purchasemoreinthefuture.Buy themmen,whatare youwaitingon? Wonderfulproduct!!!”

Just’nCasebriefsfor womenand ConfitexforMentrunksareavailable onlyat confitex.co.nz. To benefit fromourmostup-to-datetechnology andexcellentcustomerservice,make sure youorderfromourofficial websitebytyping‘confitex.co.nz’into theaddress fieldin yourbrowseror emailingusat info@confitex.co.nz

ByRubyHarfield

Thismeansthatwhentheydietheremay bealongandexpensiveprocesstotracing relativesandassets.

AsolicitoratLangleyTwiggLaw,Andreea Poanta,saidhavingawillinplace,andregularly reviewingit,isveryimportant.

“Awillistheexpressionofaperson’swishes concerningthetransferofpropertyontheir death.

“Itisveryimportantthatwemakeonesothat ourlovedonesanddependantsarelookedafter whenwepassaway.”

Creatingawillissimple,quickandaffordable.

Itonlytakesoneortwomeetingswithyour lawyerandmanyplacesofferonlineapplications forclients.

EnduringPowersofAttorney(EPAs)areas importantasawillwhenitcomestoprotecting youandyourfamily,Poantasaid.

“Ifyousufferaninjuryorillnessandyou’re unabletomakedecisionsormanageyourown affairs,havingEPAsinplacewillensurethatyour care,wellbeingandfinancesaretakencareofby peopleyoutrust,inthewaythatyouwant.

“Ifsomethinghappensandyouareunable tomakedecisionsforyourself-anddonothave aEPAsinplace-itmightbenecessaryforyour familytoseekanorderfromtheFamilyCourt whichcanalsobeacostlyandlengthyprocess.”

PublicTrustchiefexecutiveGlenysTalivaisaid there’sacommonmisconceptionthatifyoudie withoutawillyourassetswillautomaticallybe passedontoyournextofkin.

“However,whensomeonedieswithoutawill andtheyhave$15,000ormoreinassets(with averageKiwiSaverbalancesnowsittingover $29,000,thisismoreofusthanwerealise),it triggersacourtprocesstodecidehowyourassets areshared.

“So,whilethereisnolegalrequirementin NewZealandtohaveawill,dyingintestateoften resultsinaprocessthatistime-consuming,costly anddistressingforthoseyouleavebehindatan alreadyupsettingtime.”

It’sestimatedthattrillionsofdollarswillbe transferredbyoldertoyoungergenerationsover thenext20–30yearsinwhatisbeingcalledthe ‘GreatIntergenerationalWealthTransfer’,Talivai said.

“Thismakesitmoreimportantthaneverto haveawillinplacetoensurethatthistransfer happensinthewaythatyouwantittoand carefullyconsidersalloftheneedsofyour whanau.

“Thismeans,ofcourse,havingthosedifficult conversationsaboutdeath,moneyandthefuture withyourlovedones,includingthatyoumay need–orwant–tousemostorallofyourassets beforeyoudie.”

Anotherthingtoconsiderisafamilytrust.

Poantasaidfamilytrustsareformedprimarily toreducethepotentialimpactofproblemswhich mayormaynotoccurinfuturesuchas: •claimsfrombusinesscreditors; •relationshipbreakdowns;or •familyconflictfollowingthedeathofoneor bothparents.

Afamilytrustshouldbedesignedto protectyouandyour said.

“Insomecases immediatebenefits canbeachievedby establishingafamily trust.

“Those benefitscould includefinancial benefitsfrom prudentplanning orthepeaceof mindthatcomes fromimplementing aplanforthe managementoffamily assets.

“Ifyouwishtose atrust,haveachatw lawyerfirst, itisimportantthatyou understandhowtrustswork,theirbenefits, disadvantagesandwhattrusteescanandcannot dobeforeyouestablishit.

“Alsoaseverybody’ssituationisdifferent, familytrustarrangementsneedtobetailoredto eachperson’sparticularsituation.”

Investmentfor everyone

Investingcanoftenseemdaunting tothosewithoutpriorexperienceor mountainsofsparecash.

ButSharesieshasbeencreatedto helpmakeiteasier.

Sincelaunchingin2017Sharesies hassignedupoverhalfamillion investorsandhas$2billionworthof fundsundermanagement.

Theplatformgivesinvestorsaccess tomorethan8,000companiesand fundsacrossfiveexchangeswithno minimuminvestmentrequired.

Itschiefexecutive,BrookeRoberts, saidpeopleshouldbeabletohavethe samemoneyopportunitiesregardless oftheirwealthandexperiencein investing.

“Wereallybelieveeveryone deservesanequalopportunitytogrow theirwealth.

“Whenweconductedresearchon whatpeoplethoughtaboutinvesting, mostsaidtheycouldn’tbeaninvestor becausetheydidn’thavelotsofmoney orknowledgeaboutfinance.

ByRubyHarfield

“Wewantedtotrytochangethatby makingiteasier,removingthejargon andhavingnominimum.”

Forpeoplewantingtobuildupabit ofmoneyforretirementortoleavetheir family,theyshouldstartearlyandput asmuchmoneyasideasoftenasthey can.

“Anyamountyoucanaffordwillhelp youinthefuture.”

Sharesieshasfiltersforinvestment optionssopeoplecanchooselowerrisk stockiftheyareclosertoretirement.

Asafehaven forpets

Hundredsofpetswhoseowners escapedfamilyviolencehavebeen caredforbyPetRefugeoverthepast year.

Thecharityprovidestemporaryshelter andcareforpetsaffectedbydomestic violence,keepingthemsafewhiletheir ownersescapeabuse.

FounderJulieChapmansaidpetsare oftenusedasameansofcontrolinabusive relationships.

“NewZealandhasthehighestrateof familyviolencereportedintheOECDand secondhighestrateofpetownership.

“Leavingfamilyviolencecanbereally difficultwhenapetisinvolved.”

PetRefugetransportssmallanimals fromaroundNewZealandtoitsshelterin Aucklandandhasanationalnetworkofsafe farmstocareforlargeranimals.

Shelterstaffarequalifiedandtrainedto

ByRubyHarfield

ensurethebestcareofanimals,including expertmeasurestominimisestress.

Thepetsaregiveneverythingtheyneed suchasfood,bedding,asafeenvironment andenrichmentuntiltheirownerisableto takethemback.

“Theseareverymuchlovedpets.”

Theshelteropenedjustoverayearago andhaslookedaftermorethan200petsfrom catsanddogstobirdsandhorses.

Donationstohelptheseanimalsare gratefullyreceivedandcanbemadeviathe website.

PetRefugehaspartneredwithWomen’s Refuge,Shine,andShaktitoassistpetsvia referrals.

TheshelteriscurrentlyfullbutPetRefuge isworkingwithkennels,catteriesandother sheltersaroundthecountrytoprovidesafe placesforanypetthatneedsitwhiletheir ownerleavesanabusiverelationship.

MAIN:PetRefugefounderJulieChapman. TOPRIGHT:PetRefugeoffersasafe spaceforpetswhoseownersareescapingfamilyviolence. Photos/Supplied

is what drives our new approach to

living, and choices are a large part of that From a wide selection of spacious, well designed homes, deciding whether you want fixed or non fixed fees, or even whether you want to do your own garden or not, a Karaka Pines Village gives you the choices so you can stay independant without any of the burdens we call that fair value