Market conditions. Weathered.

Markets are a bit like New Zealand weather. Four seasons in one day isn't unusual, and the forecast is rarely spot on.

You can't control the weather, but you can pack a jacket. Investing works the same way. Resilience is less about predicting what markets do next, and more about having a plan that can handle whatever turns up.

1. Know your goal and your timeframe

Resilience starts with knowing what you’re saving for. For most KiwiSaver members, that’s a first home or retirement. A clear goal makes it easier to look past a bumpy week, because you know what you’re working towards.

Your goal also sets your timeframe, or how long until you need your money. If you’ve got decades to go, your savings have time to ride out the ups and downs. If you’re buying a home next year, a big dip could matter more.

Your Adviser can help you check if your Plan still fits as life changes.

2. Keep your contributions ticking

Every time you contribute, your money buys units in your fund. The price of those units moves up and down each day with the markets. That movement is called volatility, and it usually only makes headlines when prices fall.

When the unit price dips, your contributions buy more units for the same amount of money. Think of it as a sale on something you’re already buying. We explain more in Market noise or a sale on bricks?

The good news? If you contribute regularly, this happens without you lifting a finger. No nerves of steel required.

3. Choose the right fund for you

This comes down to balancing your goal and your timeframe. Saving for a first home in the next couple of years usually calls for a different fund than saving for a retirement that’s decades away. How comfortable you are with the ups and downs plays a part too.

The Hive KiwiSaver Scheme gives you a range of funds to choose from, across four Fund Managers, each with their own approach. Your Adviser can help you find a fund, or a mix, that fits your goal and timeframe, so you can stay on track when the weather turns.

4. Talk before you switch

When markets fall, it’s natural to want to do something. Moving to a conservative fund can feel like a smart move. But that’s a common KiwiSaver myth.

Think of it like a house. If house prices drop, it’s still the same house, and the owner only takes the lower price if they sell. Your KiwiSaver account works the same way. When your balance drops, you still own the same number of units. Switching after a fall means selling them at the lower price, and you could miss out on any rise that follows.

Sometimes switching is the right call, like when your goals or timeframe have changed. Talk to your Adviser first, so the decision’s based on your goal, not the headlines.

Ready for any weather

Resilience isn't about avoiding the bad weather. It's about being ready for it. Know your goal and your timeframe, keep your contributions ticking, make sure you're in the right fund for you, and talk to your Adviser before you make a big change.

If the market news has you wondering about your Plan, get in touch with your Adviser. You can also log in to Hive anytime to see your KiwiSaver account and track your goals.

Want to talk things through?

Talk to your Adviser today or get in touch with the Hive Client Care Team on 0800 242 023 or hello@hive.co.nz.