KiwiSaver advice in Christchurch
KiwiSaver adviser in Christchurch
Sit down with Alex or Sam at our Dublin Street office, or do it by phone. A free 30 minute review of your fund, fees and contributions, with no client fees.
A local KiwiSaver adviser who also does your mortgage
Most KiwiSaver advisers only look at KiwiSaver. Most mortgage brokers only look at the loan. For a lot of Christchurch households the two are the same decision: your KiwiSaver might be the deposit on your first home, and your mortgage decides how much you can afford to keep putting into KiwiSaver afterwards.
Journey Mortgages does both under one roof. Alex Toohey is a Top 25 New Zealand Mortgage Adviser and gives KiwiSaver advice alongside Sam, and our office is at 3/24 Dublin Street in the central city. You can come in, or do the whole thing by phone or video call.
What we look at in a KiwiSaver review
- Your fund type. Whether conservative, balanced, growth or aggressive suits how comfortable you are with risk and when you will need the money.
- What you are paying. The fees you are actually being charged, and what they add up to over the years you have left.
- Your contribution rate. Whether 3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% fits your income and your goals right now.
- The government contribution. Whether you are putting in enough each year to receive the full amount you are eligible for.
- Your provider. Whether the provider you are with still fits, out of the five we advise on.
You leave with a clear plan. Keep it, action it yourself, or have us help you make the change.
- Where
- 3/24 Dublin Street, Christchurch Central City, or by phone and video
- Who you'll talk to
- Alex or Sam
- How long
- 30 minutes
- Cost to you
- Free, no client fees
What's changed
KiwiSaver has changed. Has yours?
If you set up your KiwiSaver years ago and have not looked since, a few things are now different.
- Default contributions went up. Since 1 April 2026 the default employee rate, and the matching employer rate, is 3.5% of your pay. Both rise to 4% on 1 April 2028. If 3.5% is too tight, you can apply through myIR to stay at 3% for 3 to 12 months at a time.
- The government contribution halved. Since 1 July 2025 the government adds 25 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to $260.72 a year. To get the full amount you need to put in at least $1,042.86 between 1 July and 30 June. If your taxable income is over $180,000, you no longer receive it.
- Teenagers get more. 16 and 17 year olds now receive the government contribution, and since 1 April 2026 their employers have to contribute too.
None of that is a reason to panic. It is a reason to check that your fund, your contribution rate and your provider still make sense for you.
Rules as published by Inland Revenue at October 2026. They can change, so check with us or Inland Revenue before acting.
First home buyers
Using KiwiSaver for your first Christchurch home
For most first home buyers we work with, KiwiSaver is a big part of the deposit. To make a first home withdrawal you generally need to:
- have been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years in total
- leave at least $1,000 in your account
- be buying a home you intend to live in, not an investment property
- not already own a home, land or a share in a property
Some people who have owned before can still qualify if Kāinga Ora agrees they are in the same financial position as a first home buyer. If you are buying land to build on, apply before you buy the land, because owning it can make you ineligible.
The fund you are in matters here too. If you are buying in the next year or two, a growth fund can drop just when you need the money. We look at your fund and your home loan together, so the timing works.
Providers
We advise on five KiwiSaver providers
We recommend a fund type that suits your attitude to risk and your timeframe, then show you the funds available through these providers.
Common questions
KiwiSaver advice questions
How much does a KiwiSaver adviser cost?
Our KiwiSaver review is free and there are no client fees. If you move to one of the providers we advise on, that provider may pay us an upfront fee and an ongoing commission out of the fees it already charges, so it is not an extra cost to you. We confirm the exact amount when we make our recommendation, and our disclosure statement sets out the ranges.
Do I have to change KiwiSaver provider?
No. A review often ends with a change of fund type or contribution rate rather than a new provider. We advise on five providers: Generate, Booster, Milford, Fisher Funds and NZ Funds, and we tell you up front if your current provider is not one of them.
Can I use my KiwiSaver to buy my first home in Christchurch?
Usually, yes. You need to have been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years, leave at least $1,000 in your account, intend to live in the home, and not already own property. Some previous home owners can also qualify through Kāinga Ora. We line the withdrawal up with your home loan so the money arrives when your lawyer needs it.
Do you only advise people in Christchurch?
No. Our office is in central Christchurch and many clients come in, but we give KiwiSaver advice right across New Zealand by phone or video call. The review is exactly the same either way.
Book your review
Choose who you'd like to talk to
Alex and Sam both run the same free, no-obligation 30 minute review, in the office or by phone.
Alex
Mortgage & KiwiSaver Adviser
Pick a time straight from Alex's calendar. Free, 30 minutes, no obligation.
Book with Alex →
Sam
KiwiSaver Adviser
Pick a time straight from Sam's calendar. Same free 30 minute review.
Book with Sam →Rather talk first? Call 022 132 0373.