The Next Bit Podcast
Ageing isn’t overwhelming. It’s just the next bit.
Real NZ stories, expert advice and practical tools to help you — and the people you love — stay confident, independent and informed as you age.
Hosted by Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman, with new episodes every week, The Next Bit is a podcast designed to help New Zealanders learn how to age well and support their whānau with clarity.
Whether you’re planning your own next chapter, supporting ageing parents, or simply wanting to stay independent for as long as possible, you’re in the right place.
https://www.thenextbitpod.com
All Episodes
Who Pays When the Money Runs Out? The Hidden Cost of Aged Care
Imagine this: Mum has a fall and is admitted to hospital with a fracture. The doctors tell you she's no longer able to return home and now needs residential care. A fancy word for "Rest home". You are now faced with another challenge—finding a rest home bed. We all know beds can be hard to come by. But let's say you find one, and you are happy with it. Then come the questions almost every family asks: How are we going to pay for it? When do we have to start paying? And what happens if we can't afford it? The reality is that while most of us plan for retirement, very few of us plan for longevity—for what happens if our savings need to fund years of residential care. Understanding the system, isn't easy either. It spans multiple government agencies, relies on decades-old legislation and case law, and is complicated enough that even lawyers can get it wrong. That's why I'm delighted to be joined by Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal at Perpetual Guardian and one of the few people in New Zealand who truly understands how it all works. Today she'll explain how the Residential Care Subsidy works, when fees start and who pays them, why trusts can sometimes work against you, what happens while you're waiting for subsidy approval, and the difficult financial decisions many families are forced to make when the money starts to run out. Let's get into it. The Next Bit Host is: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Guest: Theresa Donnelly, Head of Legal at Perpetual Guardian Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584248556816 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextBitPodcast This podcast was written by Shelley Smith and produced by Arama Murray from Mention Direction."She Sold Her Wedding Ring For a Man Who Doesn't Exist" — Inside a Romance Scam Nobody Could Stop
She's 78. Smart, social, independent — and for six months, she's been in an "engagement" with a Hollywood actor she's never spoken to, never seen on a video call, and never met. He needs money for jet fuel. For a management fee. For a visa. She's sold her jewellery to give it to him. She's sold her wedding ring. Anita Gatley's mother was widowed after 56 years of marriage, and somewhere in that grief, she became exactly who a highly organised scam industry was looking for. What started as a comment on a Facebook fan page spiralled into WhatsApp, then Telegram, then encrypted apps built for scammers to control the conversation — 24/7 messages, iTunes gift cards traded for untraceable cash, and a family watching someone they love disappear in real time. In this episode, Anita takes Hannah through what happened when her family tried to get help — and couldn't. Netsafe said it wasn't their jurisdiction. Police said the crime wasn't happening on New Zealand soil. Mental health services confirmed she was delusional, then discharged her anyway. An enduring power of attorney protected the money, but not the relationship, and not their mother. This is a story about grooming, isolation, and a system with no answers — and a warning for every family who thinks it could never happen to someone they love. Content note: this episode includes a discussion of suicidal ideation in the context of a family managing a loved one's care. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to Lifeline Aotearoa on 0800 543 354, or free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor. The Next Bit Host is: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Guest: Anita Gatley Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584248556816 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextBitPodcast This podcast was written by Shelley Smith and produced by Arama Murray from Mention Direction.Health Insurance Reality Check: Waitlists, Family Help & Avoiding Nasty Surprises
Health insurance can feel like one of those things you set up years ago and hope you never have to think about again. But once you hit your 60s, the reality can change fast: premiums rise, health risks shift, and the difference between public waitlists and private treatment can suddenly become very real. In this episode of The Next Bit, Hannah McQueen talks with Abby Woollaston, Risk Specialist at Redress Advice Ltd, about the big health insurance questions people need to ask as they age. Abby explains what private health insurance can actually do for you, from faster access to specialists, diagnostics and surgery, to more treatment options and support navigating the system. They also talk about public waitlists, hip and knee replacements, major diagnostics, non-Pharmac drugs, family members helping with costs, and the nasty surprises that can happen when people discover too late what their policy does, and does not, cover. They also unpack practical ways to reduce premiums before cancelling cover altogether, including increasing your excess, removing the bells and whistles, reviewing your policy, and getting proper advice before making a big decision. Health insurance after 60 is not just about money. It is about time, choice, independence, and avoiding the kind of surprises nobody wants when they are already under pressure. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Host is: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Guest: Abby Woollaston - Risk Specialist at Redress Advice Ltd Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584248556816 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nzWhen Do You Actually Get Your Money Back From a Retirement Village?
One of the biggest questions families have about retirement villages is surprisingly simple: when do you actually get your money back? In this bite-sized episode of The Next Bit, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman talk with Jenny Baldwin, Partner at Anthony Harper, about what happens when someone leaves a retirement village, moves into care, or passes away, and the family is waiting for the unit to be resold. Jenny explains where to find information about resale timeframes, why the disclosure statement matters, what families should ask the operator, and why past resale times can give you an indication, but not a guarantee. They also touch on weekly fees after someone moves out, and how many retirement villages now stop those fees when the resident leaves. Because it’s one thing to understand the contract when you move in, it’s another thing to understand what happens when you move out. For more on this topic, listen to the full-length episodes, How to Choose the Best Retirement Village and What Are You Really Buying In A Retirement Village. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman, Broadcast and TV Personality Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584248556816 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz