Bay Financial Mentors

12/06/2026

11/06/2026

Paw-some work guys!!

03/06/2026

What an incredible experience speaking at the National Strategy for Financial Capability Conference last week at Aotea Centre, Auckland

When I was asked to join the panel on Fintech for Financial Capability, I'll be honest - a couple of years ago I wasn't sure the world needed another financial app. There are so many out there. What could we possibly do differently?

What changed my thinking was the undeniable link between financial wellbeing and mental health, something I see every single day in the people we support at Bay Financial Mentors. So many of our clients live in a permanent state of crisis, and when you're in that space, it's incredibly hard to connect your present self with your future self, let alone make good financial decisions.

That's the gap Buxly is designed to help bridge. Live bank feeds, AI support, financial education, and critically, a pathway to connect people with a real financial mentor when they need one. Not to replace the human connection, but to bring more people to it.

I said on stage last week, and I genuinely believe it: technology should bring people to us, not take them away from us. People need hope, connection, and purpose to thrive — and that's exactly what our sector provides. Buxly is our way of reaching more whānau, earlier, before crisis hits.

We're heading into our pilot phase and there is so much still to learn. But the excitement in the room last week - from mentors, lenders, funders, and community organisations all committed to shifting outcomes at a system level - reminded me exactly why we started this journey.

Ngā mihi to Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission for an outstanding conference, and to my fellow panellists, Sam Garaway, Andy McLeish, Mark White-Robinson, and Ben Davin, for such a rich and honest conversation.

The work continues. 💙
- Shirley McCombe, General Manager.

19/05/2026

Great interview with Christine and our General Manager, Shirley alongside Tova O’Brien (from around 33:30).
They really highlighted the important work our sector does, including the wider impact on health and mental wellbeing. It was especially valuable hearing more about the role Financial Mentors play when clients are considering KiwiSaver withdrawals.
We’re so proud of our boss Shirley, who always goes above and beyond to give a strong voice to just how important the work of Financial Mentors truly is for our communities.

A powerful discussion that helps strengthen the case for continued funding and support for our services.

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17/05/2026

If you get an email or text that looks like it’s from Air New Zealand about your Airpoints™, it’s okay to stop and check.

Recently, banks have seen a rise in phishing scams targeting Air New Zealand customers. These messages often say your Airpoints are about to expire or urge you to redeem rewards, using pressure and urgency to get you to act quickly.

Phishing messages are fake emails or texts designed to trick you into clicking a link and sharing personal information (like login details).

Don’t click the link or reply. Instead, go directly to the organisation’s official website or app, or contact them using publicly listed details.

Air New Zealand has more information (including examples of current scam messages) here:
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/cyber-security-scams

Our quick guide also explains simple steps you can take to stay safe from scams:
https://www.bankomb.org.nz/guides-and-cases/quick-guides/fraud-and-scams/staying-safe-from-scams

12/05/2026

Thank you so much to the legends at The Community Vet Project and Under The Stars - Homeless in Tauranga for providing our furry friends, with the care they need and deserve.

Marly from The Community Vet Project will be at UTS tomorrow! 1030am-1130am as she is every fortnight ♥️
Bring your furry friends along for free flea treatments, deworming, a check up or just advice. If you're needing financial help registering your dog, have a korero about that too.