Supporting the Friends of King’s College Golf Day 2026

Friends of King’s College Golf Day 2026 at Windross Farm Golf Course, Clevedon.

The Trilogy Financial Solutions activation hole on the course at Windross Farm.

A chance to connect with members of the King’s College community throughout the day.

Windross Farm Golf Course provided a spectacular setting for the day.

Last Friday Trilogy Financial Solutions were delighted to support the Friends of King’s College Golf Day 2026, held at the spectacular Windross Farm Golf Course in Clevedon.

Trilogy Financial Solutions and MoCo (Morris & Co Financial Advisers) were proud hole sponsors, alongside PPS Mutual who came on board as the Silver Sponsor on the day, joining a strong group of organisations backing this popular community fundraiser.

With more than 140 players and volunteers involved, the event brought together members of the wider King’s College community, including old collegiates, families, professionals and business owners, for a fantastic day of golf, connection and community support.

For Trilogy, the day provided a great opportunity to spend time with members of the King’s professional network, meet new people and strengthen relationships across the wider community.

Events like this highlight the value of strong professional and community connections, and we were pleased to play a small part in supporting an event that contributes to the continued development of the College.

A big thank you to The Friends of King’s College committee for organising such a well-run and enjoyable event.

We look forward to supporting the event again in the future.

What global conflict means for your investments

Periods of geopolitical tension often spark sharp swings in markets, and the latest conflict is no exception. Oil prices have surged; investors are rotating into energy, precious metals (e.g., gold), and currencies (like the US dollar); and short-term volatility has returned as headlines dominate sentiment.

While these moments can feel unsettling, history reminds us that markets have navigated similar shocks before, from the early days of Covid to the Russia–Ukraine war. As former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld famously described, every crisis brings a mix of known‑knowns, known-unknowns, and unknown‑unknowns. The biggest risk is the unknown-unknowns, and we use this in risk management and strategic planning to highlight the dangers of overconfidence and hidden threats.

The chart below shows that the U.S. S&P 500 has continued to grow over the long term, even when faced with a number of negative world events.

During a time of crisis, some sectors inevitably rise, including oil and gas, defence contractors, ammunition suppliers, and certain specialised chipmakers. These are not typically areas where many New Zealand investors have strong exposure, often due to ethical exclusions or manager preferences.

In periods of heightened geopolitical tension and market volatility, diversification remains one of the most effective tools for managing risk. A well‑constructed portfolio spreads investments across different asset classes, countries, regions, industries and investment managers, which helps reduce the impact of any single event or sector.

It is also important not to get caught up in the day‑to‑day noise. Reacting emotionally or checking your portfolio too often can lead to decisions that undermine long‑term outcomes. As Warren Buffett famously reminds investors, staying patient and allowing markets to do what they do over time is often the most powerful strategy.

If you have any queries or concerns about how your investments are faring in the current markets or your financial, investment, lending, or retirement planning matters, please feel free to give our office a call at 09 553 8928 or email us at info@trilogyfs.co.nz.

Sincerely,

The Team at Trilogy Financial Solutions

The geopolitical situation

Geopolitical developments remain a significant driver of market sentiment, and the recent shift in Iran’s leadership has drawn global attention.

The transition has created a period of uncertainty as observers assess how the new administration may influence regional dynamics, foreign policy, and Iran’s approach to international negotiations. Changes of this nature often prompt markets to reassess potential risks around energy supply, trade routes, and broader Middle Eastern stability.

While it will take time for a clearer policy direction to emerge, the initial phase of any leadership transition tends to bring heightened market sensitivity.

At the same time, the United States has moved to increase certain tariffs from 10 to 15 per cent. This reflects an assertive stance in trade policy that can have ripple effects across global supply chains. Adjustments of this scale may influence sectors ranging from technology to manufacturing, adding another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape.

In environments like this, goals‑based investing becomes even more important. Maintaining focus on long‑term objectives helps prevent reactive decision‑making in the face of short‑term noise. The managers we work with are closely monitoring how these geopolitical shifts unfold. They are making active, measured decisions to rebalance portfolios where appropriate, ensuring that risk levels remain aligned with client goals. This disciplined approach allows portfolios to adapt to changing conditions while staying grounded in long‑term strategy rather than short‑term uncertainty.

KiwiSaver changes

KiwiSaver is entering a period of change, with both contribution settings and withdrawal options being updated. The default employee and employer contribution rates will rise to 3.5 per cent, and a new First Farm Withdrawal will be introduced to support eligible members looking to purchase their first farm.

A quick summary of the key changes:

• Default employee contributions will increase from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

• Default employer contributions will also increase from 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

• The new default rates will apply from 1 April 2026.

• First‑time farm buyers will be able to use their KiwiSaver savings to purchase a farm through a company or trust that they majority own.

• Workers in service tenancies, including farm workers, rural teachers, rural police and defence personnel, will now be able to use their KiwiSaver savings for a first home purchase without having to live in the property.

• Current first-home withdrawal settings remain in place alongside the new farm‑related option.

If you are unsure how the new settings may affect your goals, it could be a good time to talk to us. We would be happy to review your contribution rate and overall KiwiSaver strategy.

Team Hike

Our teams from Trilogy Financial Solutions and Morris & Co Financial Advisers recently came together for a team‑building hike along the Comans Track Mercer Bay Loop.

The track proved to be more challenging than many of us expected, but the gorgeous coastal views and plenty of good‑natured banter kept everyone moving.

By the end, we were all a little out of breath but proud of the shared effort and the chance to connect outside the office.

Market Update

New Zealand

• NZX 50 was around 13,094, down 3.1% over the past month as earnings downgrades and softer domestic data weigh on sentiment.

• The index remains about 5.5% higher than a year ago, helped by defensives and yield names holding up in a still‑high rate environment.

U.S.

• S&P 500 was around 6,797, down 2.3% over the past month as sticky inflation and shifting Fed rate‑cut expectations trigger some profit‑taking in large caps.

• The index is still up about 20.8% over the past year, supported by strong tech earnings and resilient U.S. growth.

Australia

• ASX 200 was near 8,686 and roughly flat to slightly lower over the month as higher bond yields offset support from a firm resources sector.

• The index gained about 1.1% in a recent session, with energy and tech rallying on stabilising oil prices and a more constructive global risk tone.

Asia

• Nikkei 225 reached the 55,000s, up about 2.9% over the month as a weaker yen and strong corporate results continue to attract foreign inflows.

• Hang Seng was up around 2.1% over the month, helped by policy support signals from Beijing and short‑covering in beaten‑down China‑related names.

Europe

• STOXX 600 was modestly lower over the month (about 0.6%) as renewed inflation concerns and higher European yields pressure valuations.

• Major indexes such as the FTSE 100 and DAX were down about 0.3–0.8% over the month, with rate‑sensitive sectors lagging while energy names are cushioned by firmer oil.

Commodities

• Gold was about USD 5,208 per ounce, up roughly 2.3% over the month as investors hedge ongoing geopolitical risks and uncertainty around the pace of rate cuts

• Silver was up about 2–5% over the month as it recovered from an earlier crash, supported by improved risk sentiment and steady industrial demand, though prices remain below recent peaks.

• Crude oil has climbed about 10% over the past month, from roughly USD 60 to around USD 66 per barrel, driven by supply concerns and the stronger‑than‑expected global demand.

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Upcoming important dates

31 March

End of Financial Year 2026

8 April

Next OCR Update

Late May

Tax reports available for wrap clients

May - June

Tax reports available for managed funds clients

20 May - 10 June

TFS Quarter 2 review season

June - August

KiwiSaver member tax statement published

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If you would like to discuss your current portfolio, retirement planning needs, goals-based investing approach, or any other financial planning matters please feel free to give our office a call at 09 553 8928 or email us at info@trilogyfs.co.nz.

We are always happy to help.

Sincerely,

The Team at Trilogy Financial Solutions

Global events update

Recent developments in the Middle East have been unsettling for many around the world. It’s hard not to feel for the families and communities directly caught up in the conflict. Our thoughts go out to all those affected.

When the world feels this volatile, it’s normal to look at your own situation and investments and wonder, "Am I okay?"

We want to take a moment to talk through what’s happening and why good quality investments and retirement strategies/plans are built for exactly these moments.

What’s happening with the markets?

Much of the talk right now is about the Strait of Hormuz.

Because so much of the world’s oil passes through that one spot, any tension there makes the global market nervous. The strait also plays a huge role in global logistics, and disruptions can affect industries dependent on transport, such as airlines.

You might see:

• Higher prices at the petrol pump.

• Volatility in the share market.

• Headlines about the possible effect on inflation and interest rates.

While New Zealand might feel far removed from the situation in the Middle East, when global prices move, we feel the ripple here.

Why there’s no need to react hastily

It’s uncomfortable to see portfolio values fluctuate in the short term. But history shows us a very consistent pattern: markets react sharply to bad news, but they almost always find their footing again.

The above graph illustrates how a balanced portfolio (60% growth assets, 40% income assets) would have grown over time since 1975, despite the global events that occurred during that period.

Good quality portfolios are designed with "shock absorbers" already built-in:

• Our portfolios are well-diversified, with investments spread across different countries and industries.

• We maintain cash and conservative fund buffers. Most of our portfolios have a portion allocated to more stable investments to help absorb short-term hits and maintain cash flow for those drawing from their portfolio.

• We partner with experienced, high‑quality fund managers who select strong, resilient companies designed to withstand a wide range of market environments.

• Most peoples' goals haven't changed. We build plans based on a goal-based investing framework. We’re looking at where clients want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years, not based on what happens this week.

Our advice? Stay the course.

When things feel chaotic, the urge to "do something" is strong. But making quick changes during a dip usually just turns a temporary "paper loss" into a permanent one.

We recommend not looking at your investment values on a daily basis. Frequently looking at your investments can lead to emotional decision-making, such as panic-selling during dips or overconfidence during rallies, which hurts long-term returns.

The key is to keep calm and stay the course. Markets have been through countless events before, and diversified, well‑constructed portfolios are built to navigate them.

We’re here if you need us

If you’re feeling uneasy, please give us a call. We’re happy to talk to you, discuss your situation, and help you manage your investments with the right frame of mind.