ACBC Financial Mentors

13/05/2026

FinCap's CE Fleur Howard, and Snr Policy Advisor Jake Lilley were joined by Financial Mentor, Teresa White to speak to the Social Services and Community Committee at Parliament early this morning.
The team spoke to the need for steady funding for financial mentors to keep delivering the essential work in their communities. They asked that officials investigate the actual costs and benefits of a fully funded, professionalised and sustainable financial mentoring workforce that does not rely on volunteers; a forum between government, financial mentors and essential services businesses to discuss potential industry contributions to financial mentors' essential work. They also asked for an inquiry into hardship from attachment orders on benefits.
You can listen to the full presentation to the select committee here:
https://vimeo.com/1187545560?fl=pl&fe=cm [Start to 32:21]

06/05/2026

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Penny Ashton and Tim Wilson. First up, lead your own reform, or we'll do it for you: those are words straight from RMA Reform minister Chris Bishop, who has given councils a three-month ultimatum to lock in amalgamation proposals. The Pa...

05/05/2026

As costs climb, those at the pump are getting desperate, with police reporting 100 extra fuel drive-offs a week since the start of March.

05/05/2026

Financial mentors across the motu are spreading the word about their essential work and the funding needed to ensure it is accessible for everyone. Heather Levin Budget Service met with Suze Redmayne MP for Rangitīkei to discuss their work and the need for an additional $30.5m a year in sustainable funding for financial mentoring. https://www.fincap.org.nz/funding

03/05/2026

Financial mentors around the motu are meeting with local MPs to discuss the pressures on the sector. They are seeing increasing numbers of people coming to them with multiple financial challenges. Community Law Otago met with MP Scott Wills last week about attachment orders, KiwiSaver withdrawals, Buy Now Pay Later and FinCap's funding ask to support financial mentoring services across the motu. https://www.fincap.org.nz/funding

03/05/2026

01/05/2026

Paying Off Debt - Two Simple Strategies That Can Help
At North Shore Budget Service, we know dealing with debt can feel overwhelming. The good news is there are structured ways to tackle it and make steady progress.

Here are two popular methods to consider:

❄️ Snowball Method
Start by paying off your smallest debt first, while making minimum payments on the rest.
Once the smallest debt is cleared, roll that payment into the next smallest debt.
✔️ Great for motivation and quick wins

🏔️ Avalanche Method
Focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first, while making minimum payments on everything else.
Once that’s cleared, move to the next highest interest rate.
✔️ Great for saving money on interest over time

Which one is best?

It depends on your situation—snowball helps build momentum, while avalanche can reduce total interest paid.

The most important step is starting with a plan and sticking to it consistently. Even small extra payments can make a big difference over time.

If debt feels overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle it alone—support is available, and small changes can lead to real progress.
From all of us at North Shore Budget Service, we’re here to help you move toward financial confidence, one step at a time.

01/05/2026

Help us fill the gap to keep these essential services helping increasing numbers of people climb out of financial hardship. https://lnkd.in/e-jUh7yX

23/04/2026

We need to fill a $30.5m gap in steady funding for financial mentors through the introduction of levies on industries and increased government contributions. We've published a paper with detailed analysis on the gap in steady funding for the essential work that financial mentors do.
You can find the paper and more information about how you can help on our FinCap website: https://lnkd.in/eyyQJ_Wc

23/04/2026

Great to meet with Hon Willow-Jean Prime today following her appointment as spokesperson for Social Development and Employment.

We shared why financial mentors are essential to their communities, especially with the waves of compounding cost of living challenges whānau are facing.

We also shared the $30.5m gap in sustainable funding for this essential work and the opportunity for industry to contribute steady funding to make a huge difference.