ACBC Financial Mentors

A mid-year shout out to all of our donors, who keep ACBC running so that we can continue to provide free and vital support to the community.

A very heartfelt thankyou to, The Kerr Taylor Foundation, Foundation North, Albert-Eden Local Board, Lotteries, COGs, The Auckland Foundation, ANZ Staff Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, Trillian Trust, we really could not do what we do without your support.

Once again we extend our Gratitude to the Albert-Eden Local Board for supporting ACBC so that we can continue to support the community!!!

Thank you to the Albert-Eden local Board for supporting us to support the community!!!

We welcome the commitment of an additional $20m of government funding for financial mentors in The Opportunity Party policy announced in recent days.

It is great to see recognition for the value of the financial mentor role in our communities.

We really welcome work with everyone on addressing the $30.5m gap in steady funding for financial mentoring each year.

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/garethmorgan/pages/9140/attachments/original/1782894510/Opportunity_-_Breakthrough_Economy_-_Policy_Overview.pdf

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]

The Panel with Penny Ashton and Tim Wilson, Part 1 Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Penny Ashton and Tim Wilson. First up, lead your own reform, or we'll do it for you: those are words straight from RMA Reform minister Chris Bishop, who has given councils a three-month ultimatum to lock in amalgamation proposals. The Pa...

Petrol station owners profiling customers as fuel thefts surge As costs climb, those at the pump are getting desperate, with police reporting 100 extra fuel drive-offs a week since the start of March.

Financial mentors across the motu are spreading the word about their essential work and the funding needed to ensure it is accessible for everyone. Heather Levin Budget Service met with Suze Redmayne MP for Rangitīkei to discuss their work and the need for an additional $30.5m a year in sustainable funding for financial mentoring. https://www.fincap.org.nz/funding

Financial mentors around the motu are meeting with local MPs to discuss the pressures on the sector. They are seeing increasing numbers of people coming to them with multiple financial challenges. Community Law Otago met with MP Scott Wills last week about attachment orders, KiwiSaver withdrawals, Buy Now Pay Later and FinCap's funding ask to support financial mentoring services across the motu. https://www.fincap.org.nz/funding

Paying Off Debt - Two Simple Strategies That Can Help
At North Shore Budget Service, we know dealing with debt can feel overwhelming. The good news is there are structured ways to tackle it and make steady progress.

Here are two popular methods to consider:

❄️ Snowball Method
Start by paying off your smallest debt first, while making minimum payments on the rest.
Once the smallest debt is cleared, roll that payment into the next smallest debt.
✔️ Great for motivation and quick wins

🏔️ Avalanche Method
Focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first, while making minimum payments on everything else.
Once that’s cleared, move to the next highest interest rate.
✔️ Great for saving money on interest over time

Which one is best?

It depends on your situation—snowball helps build momentum, while avalanche can reduce total interest paid.

The most important step is starting with a plan and sticking to it consistently. Even small extra payments can make a big difference over time.

If debt feels overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle it alone—support is available, and small changes can lead to real progress.
From all of us at North Shore Budget Service, we’re here to help you move toward financial confidence, one step at a time.