Financial mentors are working together with other organisations in their communities as the whānau they support are facing increasingly complex issues. A survey of financial mentors late last year looked to identify the impact of COVID-19 on the workload of financial mentors and on the whānau...
Financial mentors have seen their caseloads grow and become more complex since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent survey completed by FinCap found that financial mentors are facing increased pressure due to COVID-19, housing issues and mental health. FinCap is calling for ongoing,...
Financial mentors committed to their communities across Aotearoa are coping with the increased strain created by COVID-19 - but only just. FinCap is calling for ongoing, sustainable funding for all financial mentors’ vital work as new data reveals they’re facing increased pressure because of COVID-19, housing issues...
Clear rights to responsible conduct from lenders are important as lending can cause significant and disproportionate harm to whānau. Buy-Now Pay-Later (BNPL) services are loans that can trigger or compound substantial hardship. Aotearoa is fortunate in that Section 137A of the Credit Contract and Consumer...
Water services are essential services that whānau need for health, wellbeing and social participation. No one should face losing access to essential water services because of an inability to pay or because of barriers around engaging with organisations providing water. We support robust consumer protections and...
Energy hardship can see whānau stuck going without what they need for health, wellbeing and social participation. Recognising and addressing the harm caused to communities due to avoidable hardship should be a top priority for decision makers. The ways of measuring the impacts of initiatives...
Financial mentors in small communities are helping people access banking services thanks to a partnership between FinCap and the New Zealand Bankers’ Association. A partnership agreement announced in March is now delivering for people living in places from Balclutha to Murupara through a Banking Collaboration Project funded in...
CAPTION: Clutha Budget Advisory Service recently won a Clutha District Council Community Award for the Happy Feet project. Pictured from left: Volunteer Lee Ollerenshaw and Service Coordinator Lee-Anne Michelle It’s a case of the shoe fitting for kids in Balclutha who have been given new school...
In Aotearoa the use of money is essential for the health, wellbeing and social participation of whānau. Effective oversight and action to ensure all can use money confidently is a cornerstone of building financial capability and overcoming hardship in our communities. FinCap welcomes the opportunity...
Too often FinCap hears from financial mentors who are concerned that some in Aotearoa are denied access to bank accounts or other essential services. At times when we follow up with the institutions who are denying access, we are told that AML (Anti Money Laundering...