The Financial Services Council’s 2026 Financial Resilience Index presents a mixed picture: many New Zealanders feel more capable of making financial decisions yet cost pressures and financial stress remain part of everyday life for many households.
Financial confidence reached its highest recorded level, with 90% of respondents describing themselves as at least reasonably confident in making financial decisions. Self-reported understanding of key investment concepts—including diversification, asset allocation and risk versus return—also improved.
There are positive signs in longer-term planning. Retirement preparedness has gradually improved, with 52% of respondents now feeling very or reasonably prepared for retirement, up from 40% in 2020. KiwiSaver remains the most widely held investment, reported by 75% of investors surveyed.
However, resilience is still uneven. While fewer people said they could sustain their current lifestyle for less than one month without income, only 40% said they could access $5,000 within a week without going into debt—unchanged from the previous two years. Household savings also declined, particularly among those with lower savings and investment balances.
Inflation remains New Zealanders’ leading financial concern, while worries about interest rates have changed little. Financial stress continues to affect wellbeing: 60% reported that financial issues had adversely affected their overall wellbeing, 59% their mental health, and 45% their physical health. Regular money worries eased slightly, but 65% still worry about money at least a few times a year.
Financial resilience is not about predicting every economic change. It is about building practical options before you need them:
