Craigs Investment Partners

This week, the annual Auckland Writers Festival | Waituhi o Tāmaki takes place with over 200 public events gathering over 220 of the world’s best writers and thinkers. We have been long time supporters of the Auckland Writers Festival, and proudly sponsored the major opening Gala Night event where the audience heard from eight stellar writers speak to a moment of choice that led them to where – and who – they are today. We are proud to support our flourishing creative communities, so we partner with a variety of arts events and organisations to bring life and colour to the regions of New Zealand. View the full festival programme here: https://lnkd.in/g99TXitk

We’re starting to see an increasing divergence in the outlook for growth, inflation and the likely next move from many of the world’s central banks. Some are on track to cut policy interest rates as expected, such as the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Others, like the US Federal Reserve and our own Reserve Bank of New Zealand , are grappling with stubbornly high inflation that has delayed any plans for policy easing. What does this mean for the New Zealand economy, and what could the outlook for us? Listen to the full podcast episode: Spotify: spoti.fi/3DmYj8N Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3DecQ6Q YouTube: bit.ly/3pWQF22

Although many investors may be unfamiliar with the ‘PIE’ acronym, over 3.3 million New Zealanders already invest in PIE funds through their KiwiSaver scheme. Interest in Portfolio Investment Entities (PIE) has increased, following changes which saw the tax rate lifted from 33% to 39% for Trusts generating income over $10,000 a year. But investment decisions shouldn’t be based on tax alone - here we explain the pros and cons for choosing to invest in PIEs.

It’s been a somewhat mixed start to the year for our local market. From here, the direction of interest rates and the health of our economy remain the two key factors which will dictate equity market performance for the remainder of 2024. Portfolio Manager, Mohandeep Singh, talks about some of the key themes that have dominated 2024 so far, recent company news flow, and what he’s looking forward to over the remainder of May. 

Having worked with many farming families during our 40 years in business, we understand the importance of capturing and preserving rural history here in New Zealand, so we are once again supporting Century Farms NZ. All New Zealand farming families who have owned and worked their land for 100 years or more can apply for one of the awards. The 2024 event takes place 17–19 May, where over 40 families will be honoured. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gPBPpp5

It has been estimated that around $1 trillion of wealth will transfer over the next two decades in New Zealand. We talk with BusinessDesk NZ about the tough task those who have worked hard to create or steward wealth now face – broaching the topic of wealth transfer with their children.

Every year in March, our people start ‘moving for good’ for our 50km a Day company-wide fundraiser to support New Zealand’s regional Rescue Helicopters. Across our 19 branches, teams and individuals have run, walked, or cycled to collectively cover over 2,000kms which is the equivalent to over one length of New Zealand. This year, we proudly raised $25,000, and Craigs matched this dollar for dollar, meaning $50,000 has been donated to Rescue Helicopters all over New Zealand. Our Tauranga and Nelson branches had the privilege of visiting their local Rescue Helicopter teams and were able to hear first hand the difference these crucial services make to our communities. Thank you to all those who took part in the 50km a day challenge, to those who donated, and to our local Rescue Helicopters.

If you buy a share or exchange traded fund (ETF) listed outside New Zealand, it’s not just changes in the share price that will determine your return. You also need to keep an eye on the exchange rate between the New Zealand dollar and the currency in question. Mark Lister explains why we shouldn’t let the prospect of currency movements dissuade us from taking opportunities in other markets. Listen to the full podcast episode: Spotify: spoti.fi/3DmYj8N Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3DecQ6Q YouTube: bit.ly/3pWQF22

Meet Olivia Manninen, recipient of the Craigs’ Women in Business Scholarship for 2024. The scholarship provides financial support and mentoring from a female senior leader at Craigs (the wonderful Hayley Nelson) to a promising final-year female undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) at the University of Waikato. Olivia stood out from many fantastic applicants for her academic achievements and her proactive commitment to her chosen field of accounting. She is the student representative for Chartered Accountants ANZ and has already secured a post-study graduate auditor position that will support her in her goal to become a Chartered Accountant. Congratulations Olivia! We are thrilled to walk alongside you towards your goals.  #womeninfinance #financescholarship

3pm today was a sweet moment in time for Craigs with 19 cakes for 19 branches across the country to connect and celebrate our 40th birthday year. Neil Craig, our founder and Cameron Watson shared some of the milestones that shaped our business. The key take-out on the call was that our success has always been a result of being client focused and supporting our communities. #40years #40yearsyoung #birthday