KiwiFI Conference
New Zealand's first Financial Independence conference.
Speakers · Inspire
DATES
8–9
November 2026
VENUE
Court Theatre, Christchurch
ATTENDEES
150
What is KiwiFI 2026?
KiwiFI 2026 is our first-ever conference-format event - a blend of the intimate, community-driven atmosphere of Black FI-day with the production quality of a professional conference in a spectacular venue.
Between breaks for reflection and communal lunches, this won't be just sitting in a seat all day - you'll be connecting with the people around you. Plus an optional pizza-and-drinks gathering Sunday evening to deepen connections made on the first day in true Ignite style.
Tickets releasing soon via Court Theatre.
What to expect
World-class speakers
Hear from international and NZ speakers sharing real stories, hard-won lessons, and practical wisdom. This isn't a panel of suits - these are people who have actually lived the FI journey and are genuinely here to talk to you.
A conference designed for conversation
Intentional breaks. Communal lunches. A pace that gives you space to actually absorb what you've heard — and talk it through with the person next to you.
No passport required
For the first time, you don't have to travel to the other side of the world to hear from the thought leaders of the FI movement.
They're coming to NZ!
"You don't have to do things in a silo. You can find a community that you resonate with and can learn through."
— Jackie Cummings Koski
Meet the speakers
Katie and Alan Donegan
🔥
📍
Rebel Finance School
UK (travelling the world)
Katie and Alan Donegan achieved financial independence in 2019 and have dedicated their lives to helping others do the same.
They are the co-founders of Rebel Finance School — a free 10-week course that has helped thousands of people around the world take control of their money, without jargon, without judgement, and without a spreadsheet in sight.
Both were awarded British Empire Medals for their contributions to financial education. They have spoken at events around the world, been featured in The Times and The Guardian, and worked with organisations including Oxford University and Microsoft. If you've done their course, you already know — nobody makes this stuff more accessible or more fun.
Dr. Jordan Grumet
🔥
📍
Author of The Purpose Code
USA
Jordan Grumet spent decades as a hospice doctor watching people reach the end of their lives full of regret — not about the things they did, but the things they never got around to. That experience changed how he thought about money, time, and what it means to live well.
He is the author of Taking Stock, Take Back Your Time, and The Purpose Code, and host of the Earn & Invest podcast. Jordan brings a perspective to the FI conversation that is rare and genuinely moving — less about the numbers, more about why any of it matters in the first place.
Ruth Henderson
🔥
📍
The Happy Saver
New Zealand
Ruth Henderson is the creator of The Happy Saver — New Zealand's best-loved personal finance blog and podcast.
She's not a financial adviser, and she'll be the first to tell you that. What she is, is someone who figured it out, did it on a part-time income alongside her husband Jonny, and has spent years helping everyday Kiwis feel confident about money.
Ruth has been writing and podcasting about financial independence in New Zealand for almost a decade, and she has helped hundreds of people on their journey. She's one of us — and that's exactly why her voice matters.
Jillian Johnsrud
🔥
📍
Retire Often book + podcast
USA
Jillian never expected to retire early, so she hatched a plan to retire often. By 40, she and her family had taken over a dozen mini-retirements — living abroad, travelling to 27 countries, adopting four kids, and touring the US in a camper, all while building financial independence.
She hosts the Retire Often podcast and is the author of the book of the same name. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Good Morning America, USA Today, and Glamour.
Jillian's take on FI is refreshing — it's not about waiting until the end of your life to start living. It's about designing a life worth living right now.
Jackie Cummings Koski
🔥
📍
Author of F.I.R.E. for Dummies
USA
After overcoming poverty, divorce, and single motherhood, Jackie reached financial independence in her 40s on less than six figures — and retired from her corporate job in 2019 with a net worth of over $1 million. She didn't just break the cycle; she rewrote the rulebook.
Jackie is a Certified Financial Planner, author of F.I.R.E. for Dummies (Wiley, 2024), and co-host of the Catching Up to FI podcast. She openly rejects the taboo of talking about money by sharing her own numbers publicly — and her story has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, CNBC, Forbes, People, The New York Times, and MarketWatch. She has also been recognised with a Congressional Commendation for her contributions to financial literacy.
Jackie's message is simple: financial independence isn't just for high earners, and it's never too late to start. She's living proof.
Bill Yount
🔥
📍
Catching Up to FI podcast
USA
Bill Yount is a 57-year-old Emergency Physician who woke up to Financial Independence at 50 — and hasn't looked back since. After decades of spending first and saving last, he knows firsthand how painful and how transformative a late start can be.
He co-hosts the Catching Up to FI podcast alongside Jackie Cummings Koski, where the two tackle financial independence for people who feel like they've started late. His message is one the FI community doesn't always hear loudly enough: wherever you're starting from, it is not too late.
Tickets dropping soon.
Don't miss out — 150 attendees only.
Our sponsors
KiwiFI 2026 is proudly supported by organisations that genuinely get what this community is about.
InvestNow
An NZ investment platform that makes it easy to invest in a wide range of managed funds and ETFs — all in one place, with no platform fees.
PocketSmith
Built right here in New Zealand since 2008, PocketSmith is personal finance software that shows you exactly where your money is going — and where it could take you. Live bank feeds, cashflow forecasting and budgeting tools all in one place.
Smart
A low-cost KiwiSaver and ETF provider managed by Smartshares, a wholly owned subsidiary of NZX. With over $15 billion in funds under management and fees among the lowest in the market, Smart/SuperLife has been helping Kiwis build long-term wealth since 1996.
Huia Creative
The marketing and digital strategy partner behind KiwiFI 2026. Founded in Auckland in 2019, Huia Creative is a full-service digital agency specialising in helping businesses thrive — with expertise across digital strategy, content, email marketing, social media, and websites.
Tickets on sale soon... Watch this space.
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