Only a small number of New Zealanders are investing in shares.

A new Colmar Brunton survey's found 20 percent of us invest our money, well below countries like Australia where nearly half of people do.

Not understanding the stock market and a belief that investing is risking are two of the reasons numbers are low.

Sharesies, who conducted the research, co-founder Leighton Roberts told Mike Hosking says he was surprised at how little diversity there was from people investing.

"Even though it's only twenty percent, the fact that the majority are Auckland and male and over sixty, we also see that as quite a problem as well."

Leighton Roberts says people chose to save their money or invest in Kiwibank or a house instead.

 

LISTEN ABOVE AS LEIGHTON ROBERTS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING