Building Financial Capability

Financial Mentoring

The Vinnies Tamaki Makaurau Financial Capability Programme aims to help individuals and families build financial resilience and independence. This programme offers financial mentoring services that guide participants in managing their money, reducing debt, and setting achievable financial goals. The focus is on equipping people with the skills and knowledge to make informed financial decisions, improving their long-term financial well-being.

The programme is aligned with Vinnies’ mission of empowerment, respect, and service. By addressing the root causes of financial instability, the programme helps break cycles of poverty and supports participants in gaining control over their finances. It’s delivered by trained financial mentors who work closely with clients to provide personalised support and education.

Vinnies Advocates can help with the many areas including:

ENTITLEMENTS

Ensure you receive what you should from Work and Income, StudyLink, ACC, family tax credits, child support.

EMPLOYMENT

Job search & CV tips.

HOUSING

Budget reports to support applications for public housing and housing transfers, supporting in disputes with landlords and Tenancy Tribunal cases.

BANKING

Opening bank account, reducing bank fees & interest charges, applying for mortgage holidays.

COUNCIL RATES

Applying for rebate or postponement.

BUDGET ADVICE

Getting the best power, phone and internet deals, making ends meet, living cheapily and healthily, how to save for the future.

DEBT

Reducing debt, negotiating debt write-off (if eligible), reducing debt repayments, applying for interest-free and low-interest loans from finance charities, accessing kiwisaver funds for financial hardship or serious illness.

COMMUNITY

Referring for free driver licence courses; connecting to MPs, Lawyers for legal or immigration issues; counselling referrals for personal trauma, mental health, violence, drugs, alcohol and gambling addictions.

Important FAQ's

There is no cost to this service. All work is free because it’s funded by the Ministry of Social Development and by donations.

Please bring information regarding your income, such as payslips or a benefit breakdown. We will also need details about your basic living costs, such as rent, food, phone & power bills, along with anything else you have to pay for regularly or occasionally such as insurance or school fees. It is also helpful to bring along information on any debts or loans you may have.

Appointments are usually one hour, sometimes we need more time to be able to help you and will arrange this with at the time of your appointment.

Yes we can. There are a range of options we can offer to help you with debt. This may include helping you with a repayment plan or negotiating with lenders. It could also include guiding you through a KiwiSaver hardship application or Insolvency options.

Yes. We have helpful resources for you to look at. Stroll down and you will find the links provided.

Helpful Resources

Moneytalks

Moneytalks is a national helpline that can give advice over the phone about money problems, including Work and Income entitlements.
Ring 0800 345 123.

Moneytalks

Sorted

The Sorted website, run by the Retirement Commission Te Ara Ahunga Ora, has a lot of tips and tools to sort out our finances, including an online budgeting tool.

Sorted

Citizens Advice Bureaus

The best place to find out our entitlements in most situations that arise in Aotearoa New Zealand is the Citizens Advice Bureau website section on Your Rights.

Citizens Advice Bureaus

MoneyHub

MoneyHub offers helpful guides on how to make decisions on a lot of financial issues such as loans, credit cards, Kiwisaver, insurances, internet and mobile phone plans and choosing a power company.

MoneyHub

Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ’s Consumer Rights and Advice section has a lot of useful advice on how to complain about faulty goods and when we can get our money back.

Consumer NZ

Credit Agencies

All three NZ credit reporting agencies allow us to access our own credit ratings and challenge any errors:

Centrix

Equifax

Illion

Sorted and the government explain how the credit ratings work and what to do if the ratings agencies don’t correct any errors.

Click on the link to find out more information.

Sorted

The Government

Low-interest lenders

Vinnies advocates work closely with three social enterprises that provide small interest-free or low-interest loans to replace or avoid high-interest debt. Borrowers can also apply for these loans directly at:

Ngā Tāngata Microfinance

Good Shepherd NZ

Money Sweetspot