Investor confidence jumps to 15% as younger Kiwi favour managed funds
Nearly half of New Zealanders say policies on KiwiSaver contributions and the superannuation age will influence how they vote in Saturday’s general election, according to ASB’s latest Investor Confidence and KiwiSaver Survey.
The survey also found net investor confidence jumped 14 percentage points to 15% in the September quarter, above the levels typically seen over the past two years.
Retirement policy matters most to people in their 30s
Those in their 30s, not people close to retirement, were the most likely to say retirement policy would sway their vote. Of respondents aged 30 to 39, 69% said KiwiSaver and super settings would influence them, compared with 54% of under-30s and 39% of those aged 60 to 69.
The stakes are high for first-home buyers. More than 50,000 KiwiSaver members withdrew a record $2.2 billion combined to help buy a first home in the year to 31 March 2026, according to the Financial Markets Authority’s 2026 KiwiSaver Annual Report. That was a 25% jump on the previous year. Changes to contribution rates could, in turn, affect how quickly clients build a deposit.
“What really stands out is the level of interest among younger New Zealanders,” said ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown.
He urged savers to review their own KiwiSaver position, whatever the election outcome.
“Knowing what you’re contributing, how your money is invested and whether those settings remain appropriate for your circumstances can make a meaningful difference over the long term,” he said.
The parties’ proposals differ, as they do on housing, where the parties also split sharply on investor and first-home policy. According to ASB’s summary of party policies, Labour and National would both lift compulsory contributions to 6% by 2032, while National would gradually raise the super age to 67 from 2044 and ACT would raise it sooner. Labour, NZ First, the Greens, TOP, and Te Pāti Māori would keep it at 65.
Younger Kiwi back managed funds over property
Managed investments were rated as offering the best returns by 16% of respondents, ahead of KiwiSaver at 15% and owner-occupied homes at 14%. Public shares and term deposits were each chosen by 12%. People under 50 were more likely to favour managed investments and KiwiSaver, while property remained the top choice for those over 50, despite the slow housing market.
Auckland leads the confidence rebound
The rebound in sentiment was strongest in Auckland, where net investor confidence rose 22 percentage points to 26%, the region’s best result in nearly three years.
Tennent-Brown said investors appeared to be looking past ongoing global uncertainty.
“It’s encouraging to see investor confidence moving back into more positive territory,” he said.
Stronger share market returns were a key driver, he said, though sentiment towards other investments also improved.
The survey was based on 793 online interviews with adults across New Zealand, conducted between 1 July and 29 September 2026, with a maximum margin of error of 3.5%.
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