Martin Hawes Retirement Ready: Book Review & Guide

Planning for retirement can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces, especially when every financial advisor has a different opinion — which is why Martin Hawes, a well-known New Zealand financial author, decided to share exactly what he did with his own money in his 24th book, Retirement Ready. This review walks through what the book covers, the strategies it recommends, and whether it lives up to its promise of being a practical guide for Kiwis nearing retirement.

Author: Martin Hawes ·
Publication Year: 2025 ·
Publisher: Upstart Press ·
Focus Market: New Zealand

The key details of Retirement Ready at a glance show a book designed specifically for New Zealand retirees.

What is the best retirement book to read?

Why Retirement Ready by Martin Hawes is distinctive

• The book is based on Hawes’ own retirement planning after moving to Christchurch (Martin Hawes)
• It covers real-world mistakes he made — something few advisors are willing to admit (RNZ Sunday)
• Described as an “easy-to-read guide” by the New Zealand Herald (national newspaper)

Hawes brings decades of writing about personal finance into a single volume aimed at New Zealanders. Unlike generic retirement books, Retirement Ready addresses local specifics: KiwiSaver, the New Zealand tax system, and the unique challenges of downsizing in a heated housing market. The trade-off is that international readers may find it less relevant.

How to choose a retirement book

• Look for NZ-specific advice: KiwiSaver rules, tax brackets, and property market context
• Prefer authors with a track record: Hawes has written 24 books (New Zealand Herald)
• Check for practical worksheets: Retirement Ready includes actionable steps

Generic retirement books from the US or UK often miss NZ’s superannuation and housing quirks. Hawes’ book fills that gap, but comparison shoppers should also consider local blogs and the Martin Hawes website for updates.

What is the 7% rule for retirement?

Understanding the 7% withdrawal rule

The 7% rule suggests that retirees can safely withdraw 7% of their portfolio each year without running out of money. Hawes touches on withdrawal strategies in his book, but does not endorse a fixed percentage. As RNZ (state-owned broadcaster) notes, the rule is a guideline — not a guarantee.

How it applies to retirement income

• Key assumption: portfolio returns outpace withdrawals
• Risk: market downturns early in retirement can break the rule (RNZ)
• Hawes’ approach: focus on total lifestyle costs, not just a single rate

For New Zealanders, the 7% rule is complicated by volatile housing returns and KiwiSaver withdrawal rules. Hawes emphasises a flexible spending plan rather than a rigid percentage.

The implication: a single withdrawal rule cannot replace a personalized plan.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when retiring?

Common financial missteps

• Overspending in the first few years — the “go-go” phase
• Underestimating longevity and healthcare costs
• Failing to have a clear withdrawal plan (New Zealand Herald)

Emotional and planning errors

• Ignoring the emotional impact of leaving work (Otago Daily Times)
• Not decluttering or downsizing early enough
• Delaying estate planning (wills, trusts)

Hawes told the New Zealand Herald that he personally made several of these mistakes, reinforcing that even experts get it wrong. The book walks readers through each pitfall with a mea culpa tone.

Why this matters: recognising that even a financial author messed up makes the advice feel more honest. Readers can learn from his errors rather than repeating them.

What are the 10 subtle signs you are ready to retire?

Financial readiness indicators

• You have a realistic budget that accounts for all expenses
• Debt is minimal or paid off
• You have a clear investment strategy aligned with your risk tolerance (Grey Power Magazine)

Psychological readiness signs

• You feel burnt out or disengaged from work
• You have hobbies and social connections outside the office
• You can picture what a typical week looks like in retirement

Hawes’ book includes a checklist of these signs, drawn from his own transition. The full list of 10 is part of the Wellington City Libraries (public library authority) guest post that introduced the book.

The pattern: emotional readiness often lags behind financial readiness. Hawes flags this mismatch as a key reason retirees struggle in the first year.

What to do when you are ready to retire?

Create a retirement budget

• Track current spending vs. projected retirement spending
• Factor in NZ Superannuation and KiwiSaver withdrawals — learn more about How does KiwiSaver work?
• Allow for lumpy expenses: travel, home repairs, health costs

Set up income streams

• Diversify between KiwiSaver, term deposits, and rental income
• Consider part-time work as a buffer
• Use Hawes’ “bucket” approach to manage liquidity (RNZ)

Review investments

• Shift from growth to income-focused assets gradually
• Revisit risk profile — you have less time to recover losses
• Document your plan in writing — compare current Best Investment Rates NZ

Retirement Ready dedicates a full chapter to each of these steps. Hawes’ central message, as quoted by the Otago Daily Times: “Plan and plan early.”

The trade-off: planning early can feel restrictive, but failing to plan is the most expensive mistake of all.

What’s clear and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Martin Hawes is a New Zealand financial expert with 24 books (New Zealand Herald)
• Retirement Ready published March 2025 by Upstart Press (Kete Books)
• Book covers downsizing, investments, KiwiSaver, retirement villages, wills, trusts, decluttering (New Zealand Herald)
• RRP is NZD 39.99 (Kete Books)
• Hawes admits he did not get his own retirement planning right (RNZ Sunday)

What’s unclear

• Exact page count and interior design details
• How many copies have been sold
• Whether the book’s strategies have been tested by a large sample of retirees
• How it compares in depth to other NZ retirement guides

Quotes from Martin Hawes and other sources

“Plan and plan early.”

– Martin Hawes, Otago Daily Times

“I did not get all of my own retirement planning right.”

– Martin Hawes, RNZ Sunday

“The book addresses downsizing a home, balancing spending, deciding on an investment approach, leaving a legacy for children, and more.”

– Grey Power Magazine

“Hawes writes in the book about what he should have done, who should manage your money, and how much you need to sustain your lifestyle.”

RNZ

For New Zealand retirees, the choice is clear: read Hawes’ book and apply the lessons, or risk making the same mistakes he admits to. The book offers a rare mix of personal confession and practical steps — something few retirement guides dare to deliver.

Frequently asked questions