New Zealand's Financial Market's Authority Podcasts

#22 Financial Conduct Report 2026/27 30.06.2026 8min

Join FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass as she shares an overview of the Financial Conduct Report (FCR) and what it means for the year ahead. The Financial Conduct Report sets out the FMA’s regulatory priorities for the next 12 months, highlighting the key risks and opportunities we see across financial markets and how we plan to respond. It also reflects on the progress made over the past year to support better outcomes for consumers, investors and businesses. In this episode, Sam di...

#21 Insurance Incentives Report 11.06.2026 5min

Join Michael Hewes, Director of Deposit Taking, Insurance and Advice, as he discusses the risks incentives can pose to fair consumer outcomes. Why non‑monetary benefits and sales campaigns can create conflicts of interestWhat insurers need to consider under CoFI and Fair Conduct ProgrammesWhere the FMA is seeing gaps in incentive design, governance and oversightListen now for a practical overview. Read the full paper here: Insurer benefits and campaigns insights

KiwiSaver in uncertain times | Jess Learns to Invest 05.06.2026 31min

Feeling unsure about your KiwiSaver right now? You’re not alone. With rising costs and market ups and downs, many New Zealanders are asking whether they should be making changes to their KiwiSaver. In this episode of Jess Learns to Invest, Jess speaks with John Duffy from Consumer NZ about what’s happening and what to think about before making decisions. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why KiwiSaver can feel harder to prioritise during cost of living pressure ✅ What it means when you...

#20 Sustainability related disclosure guidance 27.05.2026 7min

We’ve released updated guidance to help issuers clearly and accurately disclose sustainability‑related characteristics of financial products. As products are increasingly marketed as ethical, sustainable, ESG or green, good disclosure matters. Our updated Sustainability‑related disclosure guidance: ✔ explains how existing fair‑dealing and disclosure obligations apply ✔ outlines what good practice looks like ✔ is built around four core principles — clarity, substantiation, co...

Occasional Conversations Series - Finfluencers 20.04.2026 15min

Kiwis are increasingly turning to social media for money advice from finfluencers and online forums to podcasts. Some of this content can be genuinely informative, but other posts can be misleading, heavily promotional, or even linked to scams. In this episode of our Occasional Conversation podcast, Jess is joined by Anna Godfrey from our Financial Advice team and Elizabeth Asmerom Asfaha from our Regulatory Services team to unpack what to look out for when engaging with money content online....

#19 Access to Financial Advice 02.04.2026 6min

Financial advice can make a real difference to people’s financial wellbeing but not everyone in New Zealand is able to access it. In this episode of 5 mins with the FMA, we talk with Romil Ghelani, Head of Financial Advice at the FMA, about the findings from the FMA’s Access to Financial Advice Review. The review looks at: How many New Zealanders are accessing financial adviceWhy some groups are under‑representedWhat consumers think financial advice is — and what stops them from using itThe r...

How do you build a diverse investing portfolio with Tom Hartmann | Jess Learns to Invest 25.03.2026 51min

In this episode of Jess Learns to Invest, Jess sits down with Tom Hartmann, Personal Finance Lead at Sorted, to unpack one of the most important concepts in investing: portfolio diversification. Together, they break down what a portfolio actually is, why diversification matters, and how spreading your investments across different assets, industries and regions can help manage risk over time. They also explore how diversification works inside managed funds and KiwiSaver, the difference betwee...

Psychology of Investing with Dr Puspha Wood | Jess Learns to Invest 26.02.2026 48min

Jess Learns to Invest is back for Season 2! In Episode 1, Jess is joined by Dr Pushpa Wood, Director at Massey University, to unpack investment psychology and explore how emotions and biases influence the way we make money decisions. This episode covers loss aversion, anchoring, and herd behaviour along with practical, behaviour‑based strategies to keep investing aligned with your goals. In this episode, you’ll learn: How emotional investing can impact money decisions The most com...

Jess Wraps It Up: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing 04.12.2025 1godz 13min

Jess Learns to Invest season 1 offers a comprehensive introduction to investing, emphasising the importance of starting small, being consistent, and learning progressively. The series covers fundamental concepts such as compounding interest, market volatility, and different investment types, while also addressing practical tips and ethical considerations. Some of the key takeaways from this season include: • Start investing with small steps: Jess highlights that perfection is not required t...

#18 Audit Quality Monitoring Report 25.11.2025 5min

Join FMA Head of Audit, Financial Reporting and Climate Related Disclosures, Jacco Moison, as we unpack the latest Audit Quality Monitoring Report. ✔ Why audit quality matters ✔ Key findings from this year’s review ✔ What auditors and directors should focus on Watch now and stay informed about how we’re building trust in New Zealand’s financial markets. Read the full report here: Audit Quality Monitoring Report 2024/25

Crypto Explained with Peter Griffin | Jess Learns to Invest 14.11.2025 52min

Join Jess from the FMA External Communications team for a deep dive into the world of cryptocurrencies! In this episode of Jess Learns to Invest, tech journalist Peter Griffin shares his insights on what crypto is, how it works, and how to invest safely. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned investor, you’ll learn about the evolution of crypto, market risks, scams, and practical tips for getting started. Discover why trust and research matter, and how crypto might shape the future o...

Inside the FMA - Operational Resilience 29.10.2025 12min

As part of their CoFI licence obligations, financial institutions have a legal obligation to comply with a set of standard conditions. Two of these – Standard Condition 4 and Standard Condition 5 – are critical to operational resilience. Standard Condition 4 relates to outsourcing. If a financial institution outsources any system or process essential to providing services, it must ensure the provider can deliver to a standard that allows the financial institution to meet all its ...

#17 Regulatory Returns 21.10.2025 5min

All licensed Financial Advice Providers must submit an annual regulatory return as part of licensing conditions. With seven more calendar days to go have your submitted your return? The submission period closes on 30 September 2025. Regulatory returns should be submitted through the FMA Online Services portal: https://www.fma.govt.nz/business/online-services You can find frequently asked questions and an information sheet on regulatory returns on our Financial Advice Providers regulat...

#16 Complaints 21.10.2025 4min

In this episode of 5 Minutes with the FMA, host Heidi Norman is joined by Executive Director Licensing and Conduct Supervision, Clare Bolingford to discuss why complaints are a focus for the FMA the We want financial service providers to ensure their complaints processes are accessible, fair, and effective, not only by making it easy to complain, but also by understanding and addressing the reasons some consumers don’t. We see complaints as moments of truth, revealing not just what went wrong...

How to Spot and Stop Investment Scams in NZ | Jess Learns to Invest 10.10.2025 42min

In this powerful episode, Jess from the FMA’s external communications team sits down with Samantha McGuire, Manager of Regulatory Services, to unpack the growing threat of investment scams in Aotearoa. From slick fake crypto platforms to deepfake endorsements featuring celebrities and politicians, scammers are getting smarter and everyday New Zealanders are being targeted. In this episode: What defines an investment scam (and how it differs from other scams) Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes,...

Ethical Investing with Victoria Harris | Jess Learns to Invest 18.09.2025 57min

In this episode, Jess sits down with Victoria Harris from The Curve to explore the world of ethical investing. What does it mean to invest ethically? Can you still get good returns? And how do you know if your KiwiSaver or investment fund aligns with your values? From fast fashion and fossil fuels to greenwashing and generational shifts, Victoria breaks down the key concepts behind ethical investing and shares practical advice for anyone wanting to balance financial goals with personal values...

All about Shares with Natalie Ferguson | Jess Learns to Invest 07.08.2025 43min

Join Jess, a 28-year-old newbie in the world of investing, as she navigates the ups and downs of becoming an investor. Just like you, she's learning the ropes. Each month, Jess teams up with a different expert who shares practical insights and tips to help demystify investing. In this episode, Jess sits down with Natalie Ferguson from Powrsuit to explore the world of shares. What are they? How do you buy them? And what does it really mean to own a slice of a company? From Labubu analogies t...

Inside the FMA - Fair Dealing Cases 31.07.2025 9min

In the first episode of our new podcast series Inside the FMA, we discuss the Financial Markets Authority’s efforts to ensure fair dealing in New Zealand’s financial services sector. Since the Conduct and Culture review in 2018, the FMA has taken 12 cases to court, leading to over $215 million in customer repayments and $16 million in penalties. Join Sinéad Lloyd, Manager Investigations, and Rachael Manttan, Head of Evidence and Investigations, as they discuss: • what constitutes a fair dea...

Bonds with Kim Martin from The Treasury | Jess Learns to Invest Episode 15.07.2025 28min

Join Jess, a 28-year-old newbie in the world of investing, as she navigates the ups and downs of becoming an investor. Just like you, she's learning the ropes. Each month, Jess teams up with a different expert who shares practical insights and tips to help demystify investing. At the FMA, we believe in empowering New Zealanders with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. The Jess Learns to Invest podcast is part of our commitment to making financial capability accessible, relatab...

#15 Scams 09.07.2025 7min

In this episode of 5 Minutes with the FMA, host Chris Daniels is joined by Regulatory Services Advisor Elizabeth Asmerom Esfahan to unpack the latest trends in investment scams targeting New Zealanders. Elizabeth sheds light on the evolving tactics scammers are using from fake comparison websites to impersonation via text and messaging apps. They discuss AI, where deepfake videos and automated scam networks are making fraud more convincing than ever. Learn why scams are no longer small-time...