KiwiSaver has turned out to have been a hugely successful financial product but there are some nasty changes lurking over the horizon, writes Brent Sheather.

Helen Twose looks at the Welcome Home Loan administered by Housing NZ which helps people with modest incomes get a home loan with a small deposit.

You don't have to be an employee to be part of KiwiSaver, but the rules are a bit different.

KiwiSaver members should look at how much they are paying in fees because the amount varies greatly between providers, says a financial research firm.

The NZ dollar has retained its status as one of the world's most-traded currencies, churning through an average US$12.4 billion of transactions every day during April.

Inland Revenue not legally obliged to notify companies when they no longer need to pay into KiwiSaver.

Q: My 29-year-old daughter has finally settled into a career position with a stable employer who offers no pension plan other than a contribution to KiwiSaver.

"It looks like we're becoming as rare as pandas," well-known Auckland financial adviser, Murray Weatherston told me last week.

My analysis of where all the financial advisors are - where do you actually go to find independence?

Somewhat reluctantly, the NZS has published a fund performance estimate for the financial year ahead.

Adding KiwiSaver to private superannuation scheme brings extra fees but can lead to a better retirement.

Financial advisers in New Zealand live by a code. And the first rule of the code, is to know the code.

For those who previously bought a house, qualification to withdraw savings is decided by Housing New Zealand.

My partner and I have been living in Australia since the start of the year because we can save more here than we could ever in New Zealand for a house.

New Zealanders who have money saved in Australian superannuation schemes should think carefully before choosing to bring their money home, says a financial adviser.

Our question is that we are considering putting $10,000 each into starting a KiwiSaver account for our grandkids as inheritance. They are 10, 15 and 18.

The KiwiSaver active versus passive debate has been reignited following recent articles by Diana Clement in the Business Herald, Paul McBeth in the Listener and Rob Stock, the money editor of the Sunday Star-Times, in an Auckland suburban newspaper.

Could you please tell me if I will be able to continue in my KiwiSaver scheme as I joined in July 2008, so almost five years ago.

Could a monkey do a better job at investing than your KiwiSaver manager? The answer may surprise you.

This month's sixth anniversary of KiwiSaver has been celebrated by industry players and financial commentators, and with some justification.