Financial Freedom Trust

01/10/2026

Two of our team members Ataria Taiwhati (pictured) and Cat Rikihana recently attended the FinCap Regional Hui, in Whanganui.

We listened to Financial Mentors across our region share the many success stories working alongside whānau to address real challenges with the cost of living, personal money management and systemic challenges.

There are many systems and processes that are not designed for people and people can fall through the cracks. A financial mentor can be the difference at just the right time to navigate the challenges.

If you need to have a chat with someone about your financial situation please contact Financial Freedom Trust (FFT) on 0800 121 184 (call free) or send a message via our website: https://www.fft.org.nz/contactus

23/06/2026

The work of Financial Mentors in the community is priceless and demand for services is continually increasing.

There is some amazing work being done by FinCap to highlight the integral part financial mentors play in helping those in financial distress to manage budgets and pay off debts, in contributing towards better financial capability and wellbeing and having choices around finances.

There is and has been a huge gap of funding for many budgeting services around the country some missing out on key government funding causing immediate. And delayed closures at a time people need the support the most.

If you need budgeting support or want to become debt free contact us at www.fft.org.nz/contactus or call 0800 121 184

21/06/2026

This is our view from the office today in Palmerston North - not bad right!? 😎 Stunning Palmy!

It's another week, another day - it's never too late to get your finances into order. We have a waitlist of 1-2 weeks at the moment but we can offer 20-30min phone appointments to chat and see how a call might help initially. For example, we can:

✅Talk through a financial issue you are having
✅Get some immediate advice about next steps
✅Talk through financial option you are considering
✅ Suggest how to manage creditors calls and emails about debt
✅ Do a basic, draft budget (with information you provide)
✅ and a whole lot more...

Call us on 0800 121 184 or contact us through our website and provide us your contact details and someone will get back to you https://www.fft.org.nz/contactus

15/06/2026

✅Sign a petition to lower power prices here in New Zealand
Consumer NZ is seeking 100,000K signatures to bring to this petition to parliament. Why?

💥Power bills must come down- prices have surged 20% in 2yrs

💥It's having serious impacts on everyday New Zealanders

💥Over half of households are concerned about the cost of their power bill

💥1 quarter of households have struggled to pay their power bill over the last 12 months.

😟Meanwhile, the major electricity companies’ latest combined half-year profits were more than half a billion dollars 👎👎👎

Please sign and share our petition today - share this petition around to your friends, whānau and contacts.

Back our four-point plan and help us fight for cheaper power.

14/06/2026

Looking for a local financial mentoring or budgeting service?

If you have seen our page recently you know we are based in Palmerston North, Manawatū.

Type below ⬇ what part of Aotearoa, New Zealand you are viewing from.

If you are wondering if there is a similar service in your area of New Zealand, you can search it up, using the Money Talks website below:

Financial advisors give information and advice about financial planning, insurance, investing and other financial services.

09/06/2026

✅Feel like you need a qualification to check on your insurance premiums or perhaps you have no insurance?

Here are the tips the Insurance council of New Zealand say might help you reduce your insurance premiums:

1. The best way to reduce premiums is to have a clean driving record and no previous claims.

2. Name the specific drivers to be insured and exclude under 25s.

3. Shop around, but don’t just buy on price. Look at the policy benefits and exclusions.

4. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs – cars that have been modified or higher risk of being stolen will cost more.

5. Ask for a voluntary higher excess (the voluntary excess increase is only beneficial if you don’t claim).

6. Reduce coverage on low value cars to third party or third-party fire and theft policy.

7. Ask about discounts for multiple policies with the same insurer (i.e. your contents insurance).

8. If you park your car in a locked garage, tell your insurer.

9. Discounts may apply for a vehicle that has an alarm.

10. Be careful which additional benefits you add and if you really need them. Ask yourself if the additional benefit is within your budget, and if it will beneficial in the event of a claim.

Do you want help reviewing your insurance premiums (car, house and contents) or perhaps an advocate to help you talk to your insurance provider about the cost of your insurance - or perhaps you have been thinking about getting some car insurance but don't know where to start?

Disclaimer: We are not financial advisers specialising in insurance.

As financial mentors we can assist you to better understand your current insurance and suggest some general tips about things to look for in your premiums and the type of cover you have or need.

0800 121 184 or contact via our website:

https://www.fft.org.nz/contactus if you want to get help with reviewing your budget and what you pay for insurance OR maybe you want to get car insurance but are unsure if you can afford it.

05/06/2026

Call us for help with your day to day budget or current debt situation 0800 121 184 or www.fft.org.nz/contactus

05/06/2026

Just some things our Financial Mentors have been busy with in the last few weeks:

💥Helped a client process a Kiwisaver hardship Application

💥Negotiated with creditors about overdue power and gas and get smooth pay started

💥Contact debt collections agencies on behalf of the client to get an accurate picture of theit debts owed - then discuss debt repayment options

💥Negotiated redirected repayment amounts coming from Work and Income benefit so the client had more money for day to day expenses like petrol and food

💥Worked with a client to get a free credit score, examine the reasons for their low credit score and create a strategies to increase the score over time

💥Update a clients budget after some income and expense changes so they can stay on track with their goals
....and so much more....👍

Call us on 0800 121 184 if you need some assistance with your day to day budgeting or you current debt situation. You can also send us a message through our website and we will get back to you https://www.fft.org.nz/contactus

Happy Friday!! 🌿

01/06/2026

EDOS advocates for all Kiwi families to have fair access to high-speed Internet.

Simply enter in the name of your children's school to see if your household is eligible or select 'social housing' option and your address.

https://edos.kiwi/ For more information

https://edos.kiwi/self-service/education See if you are eligible

15/05/2026

Last month our financial mentor team had the pleasure to meet with Adam and Tania from Workbridge - Te Arawhiti ō Mahi (here in Palmerston North).

We learned more about how Workbridge support and assist people into suitable and sustainable mahi/work. We shared and discussed what some of the barriers to work can be for some of the clients we work with.

Our financial mentors help people examine their budgets and financial habits and can help people navigate difficult debt situations and set realistic future goals.

But, if budget is limited and stretched to the max then the only other solution is to increase the income coming in. This will allow for a budget re-adjustment that can make life a little more manageable.

For budgeting assistance or any questions about your financial situation call us on 0800 121 184 or send us a message though the website contact page www.fft.org.nz/contactus

Happy Friday 🌿

Our mentors: Indran (Manager), Toni, Grace, Adam and Tania (Workbridge), Frits, Steve and Ataria, Cat (behind the camera).