Compassion Trust

25/05/2026

Some information you might need to know

King’s Birthday is coming up soon on Monday 1 June 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about our services over King’s Birthday weekend.
📍Our service centres and contact centres will be closed on Monday 1 June.
📍If you’re normally paid on Tuesday 2 June, you’ll be paid on Saturday 30 May.
📍There will be no other changes to payments.
📍You can still access our online services through MyMSD and our service express line.

Check out the Work and Income website below for more info 👇
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/2026/kings-birthday.html

20/05/2026

Here is some feedback from one of our client's and if you are needing one on one support feel free to contact us on 379 2329 or visit our website: www.compassiontrust.org.nz

13/05/2026

Thank you for all the work you are doing supporting the work of financial mentoring services NZ wide.

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]

09/05/2026

Today we celebrated the life of John Smitheram with his beautiful family. John was one of our community lunch volunteers for 10 years and we will miss this brother so much. Fly high and now with Jesus.

05/05/2026

Check out all our amazing volunteers who give their time every fortnight for our community lunch and weekly coffee and chat.

I am so thankful for each one of you and YOU make it possible for us to serve our community.

A big happy birthday to Joan, Alison, Summer and Jayne who have and will be celebrating their birthdays over this month and last month.

04/05/2026

Huge call out to Kairos Food Rescue who support us every week and make it possible to help those families who we engage with in our service through financial mentoring. We have had this ongoing partnership for over 7 years and are so grateful.

Also yesterday at our fortnightly community lunch we had Finn from Kairos Food Rescue sharing about their ongoing work through Christchurch and the huge amount of food that is rescued to support families in Christchurch.

04/05/2026

Good Bi***es Baking thank you once again this month for helping us. Your fresh baking is always a delight for the community and we are so appreciative of all the work your volunteers do.

04/05/2026

We are forever grateful for organisations who stand in the gap with us to support the work we do in the community through financial mentoring and community care programs. We acknowledge you and say ......

01/05/2026

Details on Winter heating payments starting today

Kia ora 👋 A reminder that the Winter Energy Payment starts today.

This is an extra payment paid each year to help with costs like heating your home over winter.

If you’re getting NZ Super, or a main benefit like Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payment, it will be included with your regular payment. You don’t need to do anything.

The payment from Friday 1 May through to Thursday 1 October.

The weekly rates are:
👤 $20.46 if you’re single
👥 $31.82 for couples or people with dependent children

Your first payment will be a part payment because 1 May is part-way through the pay period. This is normal, and your payments will continue as usual after that. If you're getting Foster Care Allowance, please get in touch, as we may be able to pay you at a higher rate.

If you’re planning to travel or be overseas, your payments may be affected, so it’s best to let us know before you go.

Find more information, including full eligibility, here 👇

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment.html

🚨 Another reminder, if you see posts or messages about payments, take a moment to check where the information is coming from and make sure it’s from an official source.

Real changes will always be shared in places you know and trust, like the Work and Income website.

28/04/2026

Today we celebrated the life of one of our community members and Rob it was such a privilege to have you in our life's and you will be missed. Our love and support go out to your family at this time.

24/04/2026