FinCap

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.

03/06/2026

Many people delay taking action because they think they need to be ready first.

In reality, growth often begins in the middle of uncertainty.

You can start with one conversation, one decision, or one small habit today.

Progress can begin before everything feels perfect.

03/06/2026

Hawke’s Bay communities continue to face unique pressures, including ongoing cyclone recovery impacts, rural isolation, housing challenges and cost-of-living stress. This is impacting the demand for services in the Hawkes' Bay, and over the past year, financial mentoring sessions have increased by 15%, counselling demand has risen by 27%, and clients have disclosed more than $35 million in debt over a ten-month period.
At the same time, requests for support with KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals have increased by 479% over the past two years.
The demand is there but the financial mentoring sectors is facing its own struggles. That's why we're asking for industry and government co-funding to support these essential services.
www.fincap.org.nz/funding

Weave Hawke's Bay has welcomed several targeted investments in Budget 2026 but says many local families continue to face significant financial and social

03/06/2026

Great work by Consumer NZ

We asked consumers around the country to rate their satisfaction with their KiwiSaver provider. 4 providers scored below average for overall satisfaction.

Three funds won our People’s Choice seal of approval – find out if yours made the cut! https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/personal-finance/best-and-worst-kiwisaver-providers

03/06/2026

Good on the New Zealand financial services sector - they've been doing a piece of work to quantify their gender pay gap, figuring out where disparities are most concentrated with a view to supporting their members to do something about it. Media & Finance are industries with one of the largest pay gaps in New Zealand - 15% - and we applaud any action to try and decrease that gap!

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/diversity-inclusion/fsc-builds-financial-services-gender-pay-gap-evidence-base-576931.aspx

Industry pay gap data can be found in this report 'Gender and ethnic pay gaps: An industry-level portrait of Aotearoa'https://nzpri.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/926901/Gender-and-ethnic-pay-gaps-An-industry-level-portrait-of-Aotearoa.pdf

03/06/2026

Our free financial mentors across the motu are also struggling with the increasing costs and demands of keeping their doors open to provide their essential services. So great to see people like The Lion Foundation stepping up to help keep things ticking along for our wee Whanganui Budget Advisory Service team!

A HUGE thank you to the The Lion Foundation for their generous grant towards a new heat pump for our service. This support has come at a time of high demand and real pressure on our small team, and it means more than we can say.
Their contribution helps us continue supporting whānau in our community who are experiencing financial hardship. We appreciate their Support.

03/06/2026

Great to see this collaboration happening for the good of clients.

02/06/2026

28/05/2026

This is one of thousands of stories that demonstrate why financial mentors are an essential part of Aotearoa's financial wellbeing system. When people have lost hope, financial mentors are there to walk alongside people to restore their confidence and belief that things can get better.

Behind every financial struggle is a person carrying far more than just bills.
Ana’s story is a reminder that asking for help is not weakness - and that with the right support, stability and hope are possible again.

At Jubilee, we walk alongside people through some of life’s hardest moments, helping turn overwhelm into manageable steps forward.

27/05/2026

When you're under extreme financial pressure, it's hard to make good decisions. These sorts of lenders are ready to pounce on people's desperation. If you're feeling the pressure, it's important to talk to someone one who can calmly take a holistic look at your situation and suggest options for moving forward and getting on top of things. Call MoneyTalks NZ to speak with a free financial mentor in your community.

South Auckland Illegal Lender Sentenced After Vulnerable Families Hit With Crushing Loan Costs

A South Auckland woman operating as “Nane Loans” has now been sentenced after illegally lending money to vulnerable members of the community without being registered as a lender.

Ilaisaane Malupo targeted mainly Tongan borrowers through social media, offering fast cash loans that came with staggering conditions. According to the Commerce Commission, some loans carried interest rates as high as 15% PER WEEK, with debts able to double if not repaid within 28 days. Borrowers were also allegedly hit with late fees of up to $10 a day.

The case has shocked many New Zealanders, especially after claims some borrowers struggled to pay rent, sold treasured possessions, and lived under the fear of being publicly shamed online if they fell behind.

Authorities say records were poorly kept or destroyed, making it difficult to identify everyone affected. The Commerce Commission is now encouraging borrowers to come forward, with possible compensation still being explored.

The case has reignited debate around loan sharks, financial desperation, and whether enough protection exists for vulnerable communities facing rising living costs.

Many are now asking how desperate families became trapped in such extreme lending conditions in the first place — and whether tougher action is needed against predatory lenders operating through social media.

Do you think New Zealand is doing enough to protect vulnerable borrowers from illegal lenders?